A march of hundreds of thousands of people marched peacefully for several hours in Rome, chanting "Stop the genocide!" along the designated route from Porta San Paolo to San Giovanni. As the sun set, however, a group of several hundred hooded protesters broke away and diverted their route to approach government buildings . The national mobilization for Palestine on the first Saturday of October in the capital ended with clashes, barricades, burning garbage cans, and even a torched car.

Law enforcement officers, in riot gear, repeatedly used tear gas to disperse protesters who were throwing glass bottles and firecrackers at them. Approximately two hundred people have been identified in connection with the disturbances. Police believe they are members of the opposing groups. Eleven people have currently been arrested, and their whereabouts are currently being assessed. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her "heartfelt thanks to the police for their extraordinary work during these difficult days, despite having to deal with assaults, objects thrown, and organized attempts at confrontation." "My sympathy goes out to all the injured officers," she said. "Their professionalism and courage represent an indispensable safeguard for the security of our nation."

In the capital, in the late afternoon, two segments broke away from the peaceful march. The first group was stopped in Santa Maria Maggiore, where a water cannon was deployed and they were beaten with batons to contain them in a corner of the square. An injured woman was taken away by ambulance. The other segment was intercepted on nearby Via Lanza. The front then regrouped on the Via Merulana side, giving rise to scenes of urban warfare. After a barrage of smoke bombs and bottles, a car was damaged and set on fire. Firefighters intervened to put out the flames, which were now spreading between nearby buildings. The disturbances continued to Piazza Vittorio, among the passing cars .

Bottles were also thrown at the windows of the Casapound headquarters, from which objects were thrown at protesters in the street. Police repeatedly fired water cannons to disperse the protesters. During the riots, a protester was arrested red-handed for allegedly assaulting an officer. The window of a Carrefour on Via Labicana was also smashed. The violence was sparked by a minority of protesters who joined a "human tide" marching in a demonstration that initially proceeded peacefully. According to the protesters, 250,000 people participated, while the organizers estimated one million.

"Rome is blocked. We are a million people for Palestine. We have blocked everything. Italy knows which side to take," the organizers had said mid-afternoon, before the riots. "Stop complicity with Israel against occupation and genocide, with the Palestinian resistance," was chanted repeatedly. Among the thousands of flags waving in the square were some from Hamas and Hezbollah. There were several chants against Israel and the government. "October 7th, Day of Palestinian Resistance," read one banner. And the demonstration had been under intense scrutiny for days, particularly to isolate any potential violent infiltrators. A "massive" security plan was put in place, with 2,000 law enforcement officers deployed. The security plan was put into effect this morning, and over a hundred buses arriving in the capital were checked at highway toll booths. Metal rods, batons, and gas masks were seized from two of them and a car. Five minors were also identified in Colle Oppio after being found in possession of helmets, smoke bombs, glass bottles, and spray cans.

(Unioneonline)

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