The protest in Bari: "Meloni, look the Italians in the face and listen". Marching too far south too often ignored

Protests erupted across Italy on Tuesday, October 24, 2026, drawing crowds to major cities including Bari, Milan, Rome, Naples, Bologna, and Turin. Demonstrators marched against rising living costs and government policies, with slogans demanding Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s resignation. Security forces deployed heavily nationwide in anticipation of unrest, leading to clashes in several locations despite organized efforts to keep marches peaceful. The Movement October 17 had previously canceled scheduled appointments but urged participants to remain flexible for new instructions. Meanwhile, authorities detained the movement’s founder amid heightened security measures. In Bari, a spontaneous procession moved through the historic center from Piazza Ferrarese to the port. Hundreds of young people, including students and workers, walked under the rain accompanied by drums, music, and chants. Júlia, a 23-year-old Brazilian-born student who has lived in Italy since age seven, spoke to reporters about her lack of full citizenship rights despite her long residence. She urged the prime minister to look Italians in the face and listen to their demands, which have been voiced loudly for days. Júlia noted that she does not belong to a specific political movement but joined simply to be present. She criticized local shopkeepers for closing shutters during the march, comparing the reaction to treating protesters as terrorists. She emphasized that Bari is a peaceful square addressing concrete problems often ignored in the South. Marco, a 20-year-old electrician from Rutigliano, encouraged observers to focus on the musical, conversational aspects of the march rather than images of broken windows or aggressive gestures toward cameras. He expressed frustration over the difficulty of imagining a future, stating he would prefer to leave if oppression continues. Júlia highlighted economic hardships, noting that single-room apartments cost 800 euros, making housing unaffordable. She described inadequate university structures, inefficient transport, and scarce services as barriers to education. Marta, a 22-year-old sculpture student at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bari, lamented the lack of basic materials like clay at her institution. Her dream of opening a small workshop was hindered by high startup costs. In Milan, a peaceful demonstration began outside the Piccolo Teatro after an initial period of waiting. Participants chanted anti-fascist slogans and demanded lower prices, including calls for Meloni to resign. The march proceeded without tensions or confrontations with police. However, separate incidents occurred elsewhere in the city. Police stopped minors in Via Dante, alleging hidden balaclavas were found on them. Witnesses claimed officers forced one boy to wear a mask before photographing him. Protesters gathered around the scene, demanding the release of the youths. Several other young people were detained in various districts, some unrelated to announced demonstrations. Rome saw significant disruption as a group of secondary school collectives broke away from the authorized march starting at Piazza della Repubblica. They attempted to reach the Colosseum but were blocked by police on Via Aventino. Changing direction, approximately 1,000 demonstrators entered the archaeological park and forced entry into the Colosseum itself. In Naples, a crowd of over 500 people marched peacefully until passing the headquarters of cruise company MSC in Via De Pretis. A brief commotion ensued near riot police barriers, though no serious injuries resulted. Two firecrackers exploded during the march, prompting boos from fellow protesters. The group reached Piazza Municipio chanting for the prime minister to step down. Clashes marked the protests in Bologna. In Piazza dei Martiri, police charged demonstrators after bottles were thrown at law enforcement. Officers pursued protesters toward Via Marconi, using water cannons to disperse the crowd. Firecrackers were also launched at police and carabinieri units. Similar tensions were reported in Turin. Across all affected cities, streets were fortified with heavy security presence. The atmosphere varied significantly from location to location, ranging from cultural expression in Bari and Milan to physical confrontation in Bologna and unauthorized incursions in Rome. Participants cited inflation and lack of youth opportunities as primary motivators, while authorities focused on maintaining order amidst mixed compliance with permit requirements. The day concluded with dispersed crowds in Bari and ongoing assessments of damage and arrests in other urban centers.