Protesters storm Rome's Colosseum amid wider European unrest

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 25 Oct, 20:19 · Archive

Hundreds of protesters waving Palestinian flags entered Rome's Colosseum on Saturday, clashing with police as demonstrations spread across Italian cities.

Hundreds of young protesters waving Palestinian flags entered Rome's Colosseum on Saturday, clashing with police at the historic gates. Security forces eventually forced the protesters out of the 2,000-year-old monument. The Colosseum had increased security ahead of the protest following months of disruption from tourists.

Demonstrations took place across Italy on Saturday. In Milan, protesters dumped manure outside the country's energy regulator and burned an oversized electricity bill. Luxury stores including Versace barricaded their shopfronts in anticipation of looting. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni deployed about 500 soldiers to Milan to assist 5,000 police officers in the area. The soldiers were equipped only with plastic restraint ties, not pepper spray or Tasers, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said. Protesters also clashed with riot police in Turin. Near Rome's Piazza della Repubblica, police deployed tear gas and water cannons against demonstrators.

The protests were driven by concerns over the cost-of-living crisis and the war in Gaza. The unrest mirrors demonstrations that began in France last month, where 400,000 people marched in major cities over the weekend. The Daily Mail reports that France's original student movement over education quality has been co-opted by 'ultra-Left' organisations, resulting in violent clashes. Similar large demonstrations were also reported in Spain, Portugal and Albania.

How it is being reported

• Demonstrators waving Palestinian flags force their way into Rome's Colosseum - as protests spread across EuropeHundreds of young people entered the 2,000 year old monument calling on an end to the war in Gaza, with security guards eventually forcing the protesters out from the ancient building.Daily Mail · 25 Oct, 20:06
• Protestors waving Palestinian flags storm Roman Colosseum gates as unrest growsHundreds of protesters stormed the Roman Colosseum and clashed with police at the historic gates as the demonstrations in France spread to Italy over the weekend.New York Post · 25 Oct, 11:30

In this story: Rome · Colosseum · Milan · Italy · Giorgia Meloni · France · Marine Le Pen

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