Large groups of people meet in Rome for the fourth day of pro-Palestinian protests in Italy
Large crowds gathered in central Rome on Saturday, marking the fourth day in a row of protests in Italy since Israel stopped an international flotilla that was trying to bring aid to Gaza and arrested its activists.
Passing by the Colosseum, people carrying banners and Palestinian flags and shouting “Free Palestine” and other slogans joined a march that organizers hoped would get at least 1 million people to join.
“I’m here with many other friends because I believe it is important for each of us to take action on our own,” Francesco Galtieri, a 65-year-old singer from Rome, said. “If we don’t all mobilise, then nothing will change” .
Although it was sunny, the protest was calm, and students, kids, and older people all showed up. Anti-Israeli chants and at least one sign praising Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7 were also included.
Moments before the protest ended, a small group broke off and got into a fight with anti-riot cops. Officers used water cannons and tear gas, and a Reuters witness said that some of the marchers were restrained, handcuffed, and taken away.
While protests have happened all over Europe and other places since Israel began stopping the flotilla late on Wednesday, they have been most common in Italy, where they happen every day in several cities.
Supporters of the flotilla called for a general strike on Friday, and more than two million people showed up to protests across the country, according to organizers. 400,000 people were expected to attend, according to the interior minister.
The protests have been criticized by Italy’s right-wing government. According to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, protesters were to blame for the offensive graffiti that was written on a statue of the late Pope John Paul II outside of Rome’s main train station, where pro-Palestinian groups are having a protest picket.
“These people say they are protesting for peace, but then they insult the memory of a man who really worked to protect and maintain peace.” People who were blinded by ideology did something shameful, she said in a speech.
