protests | Strike against inflation and rearmament

October 16th in Turin: The police in action against demonstrators who are celebrating “No Meloni Day” Photo: AFP/MARCO BERTORELLO In Italy, the wave of protests by students and pupils continues to roll. A number of rank-and-file unions have called for nationwide strikes on October 30th, which are likely to bring public life to a standstill in more than 50 municipalities. Schoolchildren, students, but also young workers, employees and scientists are demonstrating against the rising cost of living. The demonstrators not only accuse the incumbent government of failing to solve economic and social problems. They also see a major reason for this in rising arms spending and political support for the US and Israel's war against Iran, as well as Ukraine's support in the war against Russia.

The USB and USI-CIT unions have called for a nationwide protest strike on October 30th. This time, like last week, it's not just about the high diesel prices that drove freight forwarders and farmers to blockade the Italian south. As the USB announced, it is about mobilizing all forces together to reach all areas of social and working life: against rising prices, for higher wages and pensions, for better education. According to the union, it cannot be the case that the government invests billions in armaments and military equipment and that people's lives no longer remain affordable. In this sense, national dock workers are also called upon to take part in the strike in order to “stop the international arms trade.”

If the unions' plan works, railways, air traffic and shipping will come to a standstill for 24 hours on Friday. Schools and universities will remain closed and demonstrations will be held in many places. And with the protests over the weekend, the actions against the government's anti-social policies will not let up: the trade union umbrella organization CGIL has already announced a general strike for November 20th.

The right-wing populist government of Giorgia Meloni reacted and declared in advance that it would take tough action against any form of radical violence. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi saw the demonstrations in advance as a "result of Russia's hybrid warfare" and called a video conference with the police chiefs of all regional and provincial capitals. According to Piantedosi, the right to demonstrate will be granted, but “abuse through unprovoked and intentional violence by extremist groups” will be prevented with all our might. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, like Meloni a member of the Fratelli d'Italia, once again spoke out in favor of the use of special military troops. Last weekend, 500 paratroopers with armored vehicles marched in Milan.

Defense Minister Guido Crosetto once again spoke out in favor of the use of special military troops.

At this point, those in power believed they had already identified public enemy number 1: Youssef Siher, a 30-year-old scientist born in Brescia with Moroccan roots, is said to have called for violent upheavals and terrorism with his Movimento 17 ottobre (October 17th Movement). Siher's portrait graced the front pages of daily newspapers for days; Interior Minister Piantedosi already saw him as an "arm of Hamas" in Italy. The examining judge Tiziana Landosi, however, had to determine that all allegations were unfounded. “Siher simply called for civil disobedience, and holding this opinion is not a criminal offense,” she said, commenting on her release decision.

Prime Minister Meloni called this "a disgrace" in front of the press, while Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani was incomprehensible and called "the crimes proven." Indeed, Rome must now look for other reasons to justify a harsh crackdown on demonstrators. Because the discontent among the population is growing: According to recent surveys by the opinion research institute Eumetra, 53.3 percent of the Italian population shows solidarity with the youth protests, and the trend is increasing.

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