Tens of thousands march across Italy over living costs and education

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 31 Oct, 11:46 · Archive

Tens of thousands of students and workers marched across Italy on Friday demanding more education funding and relief from rising living costs. Demonstrations took place in dozens of cities, including Rome, Milan, Turin, Bologna, Genoa and Naples, following weeks of school occupations and tent camps. A general strike called by the USB trade union brought truck drivers, taxi drivers and farmers into the streets alongside students.

Demonstrators criticised Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government over low wages, rising fuel prices and military spending. University student Beatrice Chilelli, 21, said students were 'at a breaking point', unable to afford 'exorbitant tuition fees, and rent'. Marchers chanted 'We need more houses, not bombs!' Some rallies also called for an end to wars in the Middle East, with unions issuing a joint statement opposing the use of ports for transporting weapons and military equipment.

Minor scuffles broke out between demonstrators and riot police in Turin at the start of the march, but no major clashes were reported by midday. Police deployed in large numbers across cities after earlier protests had descended into rioting, and authorities increased protection around landmarks including Rome's Colosseum and Milan's cathedral. The government had announced a 175 million euro aid package the previous week for truck drivers, farmers and fishermen affected by soaring fuel prices.

How it is being reported

• Thousands protest across Italy over living costs and military spendingThousands have protested across Italy against rising living costs and increased military spending.Al Jazeera · 31 Oct, 11:07
• Italy tightens security as students, unions launch nationwide protestsRallies across the country target living costs, investment in education and the wars in the Middle East.Al Jazeera · 30 Oct, 13:14
• Italy: Students and workers rally over living costsStudents and workers have marched across Italy for more school funding and relief from rising living costs. The rallies follow weeks of school occupations and protests against higher military spending.DW News · 30 Oct, 12:45

In this story: Italy · Giorgia Meloni · Rome · Milan · Naples · USB

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log