Tensions in the Turin Student March

The student demonstration in Turin turned into a moment of tension and conflict, as participants expressed their dissent against government policies. The situation degenerated into violence and clashes with law enforcement, culminating in the launch of a homemade bomb that injured police officers.

Accidents and Collisions

A group of about fifteen mobile unit officers requested medical assistance after being caught in the explosion of a device, which generated stinging fumes in Piazza Castello, where tensions were concentrated. The students attempted to get past the security cordon, but were sent back by the police officers deployed in front of the Prefecture. The march then changed direction, passing in front of the rectorate and the RAI headquarters, where protesters hit police vehicles with flagpoles. Along the way, eggs were thrown at police officers and shop windows on Via Roma were daubed. Some protesters also destroyed books, urging others to “read” them.

“With the clashes and objects being thrown, the situation got out of control,” some witnesses present commented. A police van was damaged near the RAI headquarters. The students then reached the Mole Antonelliana, where they displayed a Palestinian flag next to the Italian one.

Messages and Symbolisms

The demonstrations were not only physical but also symbolic. Signs with photos of Italian politicians, such as Giorgia Meloni and Elly Schlein, read “complicit in genocide”, highlighting the strong anti-government sentiment among the participants. Furthermore, banners such as “Schools know which side to take” and “Every day is No Meloni Day” represent a clear message against the current administration. The march also saw young people reproducing the three-finger gesture, a reference to the movements of the Seventies linked to Workers' Autonomy. Several student organizations, including those close to the Askatasuna social center, actively participated, demonstrating that the fight for rights continues to be a priority for many young people. The situation in Turin reflects a growing dissatisfaction among Italian students with the current government’s policies. This event could mark the beginning of a broader mobilization in the country. The coming week could be crucial to understand how this movement will evolve and what responses will come from the institutions.