Edward Marchesi On Friday, October 30, the streets of Rome and Milan filled with protesters in connection with the national strike called by the USB union and student initiatives against the high cost of living. Authorities activated a multi-party security effort , combining air, ground, and cyber resources to ensure public order and protect historic spaces.
Rome: Details of the USB procession and surveillance
The USB march was scheduled to depart at 10:30 a.m. from Piazza dei Cinquecento , in front of Termini station. From there, the march was scheduled to continue along Via dei Fori Imperiali, passing through sensitive archaeological areas such as the Colosseum and Circus Maximus . The turnout was expected to be around 20 participants, with the possibility of exceeding that figure due to pre-gatherings announced at various points in the city.
Pre-gatherings and procession route
Before the start, groups of students and supporters occupied strategic areas: Piazzale Aldo Moro , Piazzale Ostiense , Piazza dell'Immacolata , and several schools. The coordination operation was planned during a technical meeting in San Vitale, chaired by Police Commissioner Roberto Massucci , and attended by representatives of the Police, Carabinieri, AMA, and ATAC.
The briefing underlined the need to guarantee the right to demonstrate, while at the same time delimiting permitted spaces and illicit behaviors.
Aerial and cybernetic devices
To monitor the event, law enforcement used helicopters from the 1st Police Flight Unit and the Carabinieri , supported by drones provided by the Police Headquarters. At the same time, the Cyber Security Center monitored social media and websites to identify any attempts to incite violence. Authorities also paid particular attention to Termini station, a crucial hub for the flow of people and a potential target for blockades, especially in light of a planned general strike by railway workers.
Milan: Protests against the high cost of living
In Milan, the protest took on two distinct but complementary forms. At 9:30 a.m., the student rally gathered in Piazza Leonardo da Vinci , in the Città Studi neighborhood, while at 10:00 a.m. the main gathering, expected to number at least 10 people, departed from Piazza Duca d'Aosta , in front of the Central Station. From there, the participants continued toward Piazzale Loreto and then Via Padova, aiming to occupy the eastern ring road, a busy artery of the city.
Student and worker rallies
The flow of protesters in Milan was fueled by various groups: young workers, social centers, pro-Pal activists, and student groups. The presence of pre-gatherings in several schools facilitated rapid aggregation. Law enforcement agencies, including the Intelligence and Digos (Italian Special Operations Unit) , announced a " complex arrangement " aimed at isolating individuals intent on creating disorder, preventing the protest from degenerating into looting.
Law enforcement strategy
In addition to the traditional deployment of ground personnel, Milanese authorities reinforced their presence with specialized units, ready to respond to any groups of twenty to thirty youths who, according to internal communications, might be using objects such as hammers, crushers, or cutting weapons to commit acts of destruction. Police patrolled side streets, preventing the formation of smaller groups and ensuring the flow of people to critical points. No large-scale violence was reported, thanks in part to the timely intervention of riot police.
The demonstrations on Friday, October 30, demonstrated the city government's ability to manage large-scale events while maintaining, for the most part, a climate of peaceful participation. Police Commissioner Massucci and Milan's city officials emphasized the importance of a low-profile approach, aimed at containing any potential escalations without impeding the right to protest. No demonstrations are planned for the following day, October 31, while Halloween night remained the subject of rumors on social media, but without any operational plans from law enforcement.