Thousands protest in Italian cities over housing and other issues

Thousands of young people marched through several Italian cities, including Milan, Rome, and Turin, on Saturday, according to the Northwest Arkansas Democrat - Gazette. Authorities deployed large numbers of police and soldiers to prevent violent clashes and looting that had occurred during earlier protests this month.

In Milan, the demonstration remained mostly peaceful, with thousands marching as luxury boutiques were boarded up and soldiers were deployed. By late afternoon, most shops had reopened. However, brief clashes with police occurred in Rome and Turin.

Premier Giorgia Meloni announced new measures in response to the protests, including sending an additional 500 soldiers to Milan and imposing tougher penalties on minors, who police said were largely involved in the violent incidents last weekend. Several minors were detained in Milan as a preventive measure.

The protests, which also took place in other European cities like Madrid, Lisbon, and Tirana, addressed a broad range of issues including education, corruption, anti-war movements, pensions, and housing. In Milan, protesters chanted against the government and symbolically burned an oversized electricity bill outside Italy's energy regulator.

Security forces in Milan included about 5,000 police and other personnel, supported by hundreds of soldiers and the newly deployed 500 troops. Authorities also used drones to monitor the demonstrations, which remained largely peaceful despite some confrontations in Rome and Turin.