In Rome, a procession started from Porta San Paolo (Pyramid) and headed towards the Colosseum, on the occasion of the national mobilization “Let’s stop the wars, the time for Peace is now”. Other similar demonstrations are also taking place in Milan, Turin and Florence. Various demonstrations have already been held in other Italian cities such as Palermo, Cagliari, Sulmona and Bari.

The Democratic Party has announced its participation in all seven organized peace squares. A delegation of the national secretariat led by foreign affairs manager Peppe Provenzano will be present in Rome. With him will also be the coordinator Marta Bonafoni and the members of the secretariat Annalisa Corrado, Alfredo D’Attorre and Marco Furfaro, together with the group leader in the Senate Francesco Boccia.

Nicola Fratoianni and Angelo Bonelli of Avs reiterated the importance of being present in the square to stop conflicts: “The new world order is based on military supremacy. Conflicts have replaced dialogue and diplomatic initiative; military spending has increased to the detriment of investments in education, health and the defense of the planet from pollution and the climate crisis”. The two leaders underlined that the dramatic situation of civilians in Gaza, Ukraine or Lebanon is unsustainable. They then added that the mobilization of hundreds of associations is going in the right direction: stopping wars is a priority.

In Rome, the march promoted by Europe for Peace, Rete italiana Pace e Disarmo and other organizations saw hundreds of protesters gather at Piramide with peace and ANPI flags. The main message was clear: ask for a ceasefire in the Middle East, in Ukraine and in all conflicts in the world. Among the participants was a large Palestinian flag carried by activists, as well as numerous political figures including Maurizio Landini of the Cgil.

In Milan, a pacifist demonstration began in the rain with about a thousand people gathered at the Arco della Pace. The procession headed towards Piazza della Scala with a banner reading “we are all Jews and Palestinians”. Among those present were Pierfrancesco Majorino of the Lombardy Democratic Party and Emanuele Fiano who commented on the importance of a just peace.

In Florence, a demonstration took place with thousands of participants who marched through the streets of the center up to Santa Croce. Here too, peace flags were present along with the municipal banners. Mayor Sara Funaro reiterated the city’s commitment to promoting messages of peace while Father Bernardo Gianni spoke of the importance of an alternative humanism to war.

In Palermo, about a thousand demonstrators marched from Piazza Croci to Piazza Verdi carrying banners against armed conflicts. Here too, the appeal to the UN peace conference was central to the manifesto released by the promoters.

In Sardinia, in the port of Cagliari, social movements gathered to say “No to war”. Here, several people participated in the sit-in