Demonstrations in France: nearly 1,000 people arrested, according to Laurent Nuñez, as clashes break out
We can barely afford to make it to the end of the month, protesters in Milan saypublished at 9:46 p.m. BST
Sarah Rainford
Southern Europe correspondent, in Milan
Image source, ReutersA major security operation including the deployment of hundreds of troops alongside police prevented protesters from gathering for most of the day. Milan.
It was part of the government’s zero-tolerance response after scenes of violence in the city last week, during which some protesters set fires, smashed windows and looted shops.
There were protests today elsewhere in Italyincluding skirmishes with police at Bolognawhere water cannons were used, and Turin where protesters also burned a photo of the Prime Minister.
But early this afternoon, a man described as the “mastermind” behind the October 17 Movement (M1710), at the origin of today’s demonstrations, was identified and arrested by the police.
The mysterious movement had promised to post details of gathering locations in each city on social media – in order to avoid police – but its social media accounts were never updated.
Image source, ReutersHere in Milanwhich left would-be protesters lost, not knowing what to do or where to go, and easily outnumbered and outwitted by police and paratroopers.
We saw groups – mostly teenagers – being stopped and searched on a large scale, with police checking their bags and documents.
Later that evening, a crowd of protesters marched peacefully through the city, ending in front of the Polytechnic University.
“The cost of living,” a group of young women told the BBC, when asked why they were protesting – mentioning high rents and the cost of fuel. “We can barely make it to the end of the month. »
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