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Hundreds 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.
The protesters, many of them young and waving Palestinian flags, were seen cheering and yelling inside the 2,000-year-old arena during the demonstrations in Rome as security forces pushed them out.
The tense scene was one of many across the country on Saturday as thousands marched in the streets of Rome, Milan, Turin and other cities to protest the current cost-of-living crisis and the ongoing war in Gaza.
The Colosseum had notably upped its security ahead of the protest following months of clashes with tourists running wild in the historic site, with the arena declared a security “red zone” last month.
Along with the clashes at the Colosseum, officials reported another violent confrontation with protesters near the Piazza della Repubblica, with police deploying tear gas and water cannons.
In Milan, protesters dumped manure outside the country’s energy regulator and burned an oversized electricity bill.
Many stores in the city boarded up their windows to avoid last week’s looting where protesters were caught making off with luxury goods in France.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni sent about 500 soldiers to Milan to assist the 5,000 officers deployed to the area.
The soldiers, however, were not equipped with pepper spray or Tasers, only plastic restraint ties to help arrest rowdy protesters, Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said.
The protests in Italy mimic the demonstrations that broke out in France last month and have spread across Europe over the continent’s economic woes.
Along with Italy, large demonstrations were also reported in the capitals of Spain, Portugal and Albania.
