Another Student Protest Set in Turin, Italy on Saturday, 24 October
Photo: chiaraskywalker Instagram
TURIN, Italy — The student protesters will take to the streets of Turin again this weekend, 24 October.
They are the same group of students who took to the streets in Turin last October 17, who protested the Meloni government's policies on schools, the high cost of living, rent increases, and increased military spending.
In an interview, one of the student protesters in Turin has raised concerns after the demonstrations last weekend.
" I believe the Italian media is focusing too much attention on a few individuals, in order to divert the public gaze from the hundreds of thousands of people who have brought forward vital demands during the recent wave of mobilizations. This happens because much of the media acts in support of the government. Meloni’s statement following these mobilizations is deeply problematic: rather than addressing the hardships faced by people—who, due to the high cost of living, can no longer afford to eat or keep a roof over their heads—she has chosen to focus solely on finding yet another way to criminalize protests. She has done this by enacting yet another "security decree"—a set of laws that are fundamentally at odds with freedom of thought and the right to protest, both of which are cornerstones of our Constitution," Chiara Isabelle Berard, a 28-year-old university student, said in a phone interview.
"There will be protests on the 24th, the 30th, and likely every Saturday until the government listens to the people." The demonstration is called 'October 17th" that will begin at 3pm on Saturday, October 24, at Piazza Castello.
"I am part of several collectives, but we are taking to the streets as individuals because the demonstrations were initiated by a mobilization called "October 17th."
On October 20, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the implementation of tougher measures to prevent and combat violent participation in demonstrations following riots in major cities like Milan, where looted shops and destroyed storefronts were reported.
Meloni announced the approval of a substantial aid package on Thursday, October 22, to support lorry drivers, farmers, and fishers in Southern Italy, who have been severely affected by rising fuel costs.
