European protests spread from Milan to Madrid as new Oct. 17 Movement gains ground

Protests erupted across multiple European cities on Saturday as part of the newly formed 'Oct. 17 Movement,' with Italy deploying 500 additional soldiers to Milan amid fears of renewed violence following last week's looting and clashes with police. The demonstrations span diverse grievances, including pensions, housing, anti-war sentiment, education, and corruption. In Milan, authorities conducted drone surveillance and deployed about 5,000 police, while luxury stores boarded up windows after rioters targeted shops near the Duomo square. Police arrested 45 people last week, including 34 minors, prompting Premier Giorgia Meloni to announce tougher penalties for young offenders. Elsewhere, Albanian police used water cannons in Tirana against student protesters demanding lower tuition fees and anti-government action, while thousands of retirees marched in Madrid over pension concerns ahead of Spain's snap election. Lisbon protesters planned marches against government housing measures, reflecting broader European discontent over social and economic inequalities.