Italy braces for protests in Rome and Milan with heavy security

Italy is preparing a massive security deployment for protests expected in eight cities, including Rome and Milan, on Saturday, following violence at demonstrations last weekend. Police will use drones and helicopters to monitor the events. Rome's security plan aims to "saturate the territory" while ensuring the right to protest within the law, and Milan will add soldiers to patrol the city center. A group called the "17 October Movement" has called for rallies at 3 p.m., with routes revealed only 30 minutes beforehand. The government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has passed a security decree introducing a new offense of "violent participation in a protest" and fines for parents of minors causing damage. Protests by students, truckers, and farmers target budget cuts and high living costs, though most truck blockades in southern Italy have been lifted.