Rome protesters storm Colosseum as youth unrest spreads across Europe
Protesters in Rome briefly stormed the Colosseum on Saturday as thousands of young people rallied across Italy against the rising cost of living, leading to clashes with police and dozens of arrests. Police arrested nine people and briefly detained 371 others, including 110 minors, during demonstrations in cities such as Milan, Rome, and Turin. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government had approved tough security measures and conducted searches ahead of the rallies, while no damage or injuries were reported at the Colosseum. The Italian protests are part of a broader wave of youth-led demonstrations across Europe, addressing issues from housing and fuel prices to education and the war in Gaza. Similar rallies have occurred in Spain, Portugal, Belgium, and France, with Serbia's student-led movement recently ousting President Aleksandar Vučić.