Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters took to the streets of Turin on Friday evening, in a demonstration against the policies of the Giorgia Meloni government, arms spending and the war in Gaza. The protest, organized by the "Torino per Gaza" movement and students who occupied the Einaudi university campus, was accompanied by violent clashes between demonstrators and police in the city center.
With chants of "Melon, we are coming" and the banner "Every university will be a barricade, we will not pay for the war", thousands of participants gathered in Castello Square, before starting the march through the main streets of Turin.
The security forces had blocked the entrances to some of the main streets of the center, but some protesters managed to pass through side streets. Tensions began when some demonstrators threw bottles at a carabinieri vehicle, while the most violent clashes were recorded on Roma Street, where people with covered faces and helmets threw objects at the police.
The agents intervened by pushing the protesters towards Castello Square and using tear gas to disperse them. However, the demonstrators managed to return to some of the blocked areas, considering entering the city center an achievement of the protest.
After 8:00 PM, the march ended in Vittorio Square, where organizers announced another mobilization for November 7.
According to the authorities' initial assessment, three people were taken to the police station after the evening clashes, bringing the total number of people reported during Friday's protests to ten. Among those injured was a female photojournalist who was reportedly knocked down by the police during the intervention.
The evening clashes followed a general strike held during the day in Italy, where unions, students and pro-Palestinian movements protested against rising living costs and military spending.
However, the protest in Turin also had peaceful moments. Before tensions escalated, some demonstrators spoke to the police, while a girl gave flowers to the officers. A little later, she received a marriage proposal from her partner, to which she responded positively.
Friday's protests in Turin were part of a wider mobilization in Italy against armament policies and in support of Palestine.
