Italy is bracing for a wave of nationwide demonstrations on Saturday 24 October, as rising living costs fuel public anger. Authorities in Rome and Milan are deploying thousands of officers, including elite units, and using drone surveillance to prevent a repeat of the violent clashes that erupted on 17 and 18 October, when shops were looted and police were attacked in several cities.
According to the protest-tracking website Mappa della rivolta, more than 30 mobilisations are planned across the country, from marches and sit-ins to assemblies and strikes. Cities on the list include Milan, Bologna, Genoa, Turin, Rome and Florence.
Rome locks down with drones and cyber monitoring
Rome's police headquarters has drawn up a comprehensive security plan covering both officially notified demonstrations and spontaneous rallies announced online. In addition to the usual crowd-control units, the State Police's 1st Flight Department will deploy drones, and the Carabinieri will provide aircraft. In total, around 1,500 officers will be on duty, with checks extending from city squares to railway stations.
The digital dimension is complicating the authorities' task. The Rome Cybersecurity Centre is actively monitoring social media platforms, coordinating with Digos, the State Police's special operations division. On Telegram, TikTok and Instagram, users are circulating tactical advice on how to prepare for clashes with police—ranging from bringing water, painkillers and vinegar to mitigate tear gas effects, to guidance on clothing and behaviour during unrest.
In Milan, the security footprint is even larger: roughly 1,000 police and Carabinieri, 300 municipal officers, and 500 soldiers will be deployed, following the latest government security decree. Drones will again be used to monitor marches. Authorised demonstrations will be kept away from the Duomo, and protests are banned in the Garibaldi and Porta Venezia districts.
Turin is also expected to see significant action, with a demonstration organised by activists from the antagonista scene linked to the former Askatasuna social centre, together with members of the 17 October Movement and students. Marches are due to start at 2 p.m. in Piazza Arbarello.
The protests come amid broader European unease over the cost-of-living crisis, which has already triggered demonstrations in France and other member states. Italy's heavy-handed preparation reflects the government's determination to avoid the disruptions seen earlier this month, when trucker blockades and fuel protests disrupted supply chains, prompting an aid package for transport and farming. The country is also grappling with one of the highest debt levels in the eurozone, nearing Greece's ratio, which adds to the economic pressure on households.
While the authorities emphasise public safety, civil liberties groups warn that the extensive use of drones and social media monitoring could stifle legitimate protest. The balance between security and freedom of assembly remains a delicate one, especially as online guides for protesters become more sophisticated.
As Italy prepares for a tense weekend, all eyes will be on how the protests unfold—and whether the heavy security presence deters violence or simply escalates tensions.
