Florence protest turns violent as clashes erupt on Ponte Santa Trinita

A protest in Florence against the government and the cost of living turned violent on Saturday, with clashes erupting between demonstrators and police on the Ponte Santa Trinita bridge. The initial peaceful march, which drew around a thousand people, degenerated when masked individuals threw firecrackers and bottles at riot police, who responded with batons. The demonstration, organized by the Movimento 17 ottobre, began peacefully with students, families, and elderly participants expressing solidarity with farmers and truckers. Protesters criticized the government for inaction, with one student stating they did not want to be instrumentalized but were demonstrating against a government that has done nothing for them. The atmosphere remained calm until the march attempted to reach Via Tornabuoni. As the crowd approached the bridge, police blocked the route, and tensions escalated. Families and onlookers withdrew as more aggressive groups, some with covered faces, moved to the front. Chants of "Assassins" and "Servants" were heard before the situation deteriorated into physical confrontation, with police using shields and batons against the advancing crowd.