New TikTok-driven Italian protest movement demands wages and end to wars

A new social-media-driven protest movement, organized primarily on TikTok, Instagram, and Telegram, has emerged in Italy, demanding higher wages, an end to wars, and an overhaul of the capitalist system. The movement, which lacks traditional leaders or political affiliation, brought thousands to the streets on October 17, resulting in clashes in Milan, Turin, and Bologna. The movement is coordinated through regional Telegram groups, with key figures like Draco and Cristiano Niceta helping to amplify calls for action. Their manifesto, published by the group 'Rivoluzione d'Agosto', calls for an end to capitalism, investment in healthcare and justice, and a return to cash transactions. Participants express deep economic anxieties, including low wages, debt, and job insecurity, with many citing personal struggles to make ends meet. The protests have drawn attention from sociologists who note the convergence of various groups, particularly Generation Z, who are mobilizing via social media. A new protest is planned for November 20, coinciding with a general strike called by the Cgil union, potentially uniting distinct protest factions in the same squares.