Thousands of students and workers across Italy participated in large-scale protests on October 30, demanding increased funding for schools and relief from the rising cost of living. The demonstrations, which were largely peaceful, marked the latest in a series of nationwide actions inspired by similar movements in France and Spain.

The protests included a general strike organized by the USB trade union, which attracted thousands of workers from various sectors such as trucking, taxi services, and agriculture. Many of these groups have actively campaigned in recent weeks against soaring fuel prices and government plans to increase defense spending. The USB estimated turnout at between one million and 1.5 million participants nationwide, though official attendance figures have not been released by authorities.

In Rome, the protest began at the city’s main train station, with a procession moving past the Colosseum and the Economy Ministry. Demonstrators included students, workers, and farmers, with some arriving in tractors and taxis. Participants carried flags and chanted slogans demanding better conditions and funding. Milan’s protest started similarly at its central train station but continued into the surrounding areas, where students held banners reading “Let’s reclaim our future.”

Several students voiced concerns over the state of education and economic pressures. Sixteen-year-old high school student Sofia Cataldi highlighted safety issues at her school and called for cleaner, better-maintained facilities. University student Beatrice Chilelli, 21, noted the financial strain on students and their families, especially the burden of high tuition fees and rising rents, citing cases of student housing in Rome costing up to €1,200 per month for a single room.

While the majority of the demonstrations proceeded peacefully, a few clashes were reported. In Turin, police used batons and water cannons to disperse crowds attempting to approach the prefecture. In Rome, some young protesters threw bottles and set a rubbish bin on fire near the end of the march. Police presence in riot gear was noted at protests throughout the country.

The recent wave of protests follows a period of heightened tensions, including confrontations between youth and police in Milan between October 17 and 18. In response, the government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has implemented stricter laws regulating public gatherings and relaxed rules on the detention of minors. Additionally, the administration recently approved a €175.2 million aid package targeting truck drivers, farmers, and fishermen affected by the surge in fuel prices linked to the conflict in the Middle East.

The government is also working on measures aimed at supporting young people and families, which are included in the draft 2027 budget currently under negotiation among coalition parties. Meloni emphasized that these initiatives are intended to address public concerns but warned they are not designed for those engaging in violent behavior during protests.