Italian youth movement rallies on TikTok for wages and peace

A new social-media-driven protest movement, organized primarily on TikTok and Telegram, has emerged in Italy, demanding higher wages and an end to wars, with protests erupting in Milan, Turin, and Bologna on October 17. The movement, which lacks traditional leaders or political affiliation, has grown over three months through regional Telegram groups coordinating with truckers and farmers. A manifesto calls for ending capitalism, modernizing Marxist principles, and investing in healthcare and justice. Organizers announce further protests across European cities on November 20, coinciding with a general strike called by the CGIL union. Sociologists note the Gen Z-led movement combines diverse political experiences, with some participants advocating nonviolence while others discuss more radical tactics.