Italian Cities Deploy 5,000 Troops as Thousands Protest Across Milan, Rome, and Turin

Thousands of young people marched Saturday in several Italian cities, including Milan, Rome, and Turin, as authorities deployed over 5,000 police and soldiers to prevent a repeat of violent clashes and looting seen in protests last week. The Milan demonstration remained peaceful, though brief clashes occurred in Rome and Turin. Premier Giorgia Meloni announced tougher penalties for minors and sent 500 additional soldiers to Milan, where luxury boutiques boarded up and police detained several minors preventively. The protests spanned issues from education and corruption to anti-war, pensions, and housing. Similar demonstrations occurred across Europe, including Madrid, Lisbon, and Tirana, where riot police used water cannons on protesters who set government buildings on fire.