Italy Deploys Thousands Ahead of Nationwide Protests

Italy deployed 500 additional soldiers to Milan to support about 5,000 police and other law enforcement ahead of Saturday protests, one week after looting and clashes near Duomo square. About 2,000 very young protesters took part last weekend; police arrested 45 people, 34 of them minors. Rome planned around 1,500 officers while Milan prepared roughly 1,800 personnel, including 1,000 police and Carabinieri, 300 municipal officers and the 500 soldiers. Measures extended beyond city centers, with drones, railway checks, social-media monitoring, authorised Milan protests kept from the Duomo, and bans in Garibaldi and Porta Venezia. Marches and other actions linked to living costs were called by the October 17 Movement, student federations, grassroots unions and anti-war coalitions in at least nine cities, with some start times at 1300 GMT and locations announced late. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Oct. 17-18 condemned violence, thanked security forces, said she respected peaceful demonstrators including CGIL participants and left-wing leaders, stated that demonstrating is a right while setting cities ablaze is not, and said silence is not acceptable. Her cabinet's decree eased detention measures for minors, created a violent-participation offense and fined parents for children's damage. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said soldiers may not carry pepper spray or tasers and only recently may use plastic restraint ties near stations. Valter Mazzetti told AP soldiers can reinforce but lack specialized public-order training. Mayor Giuseppe Sala supported more soldiers and urged businesses to stay open. Lamberto Bertolé said many young people lack belonging and prospects amid inequalities. India advised nationals in Italy, France and Belgium to stay vigilant and avoid protest zones; the US mission warned of high Milan risk and named streets to avoid. Economic relief for truck drivers and fishermen accompanied largely lifted southern trucker blockades. CONTESTED: no outlet disputes the core deployment figures or the 45 arrests including 34 minors. How Saturday events unfold remains unresolved.