Police conduct over 150 raids ahead of nationwide protests after weekend clashes

Police operations this morning spanned more than 150 residences in Milan, Monza and over twenty other municipalities, concentrating in Lombardy, as part of investigations into the violent disturbances of the previous weekend. The raids targeted not only the social-media announcements of the Movimento 17 ottobre but also broader networks; the group had announced three gathering points that would merge into a single large square.

Authorities also intensified the house-arrest of an Askatasuna activist in Turin, extending the requirement to report to police for her role in the autumn-2025 pro-Palestinian demonstrations. A seized WhatsApp chat from a Milan suspect contained incendiary messages urging attacks on police, plans to seize weapons, and a video of a pistol being loaded, prompting fears of further large-scale disorder. In response, the U.S. embassy in Rome issued an alert urging American citizens to steer clear of scheduled marches in Rome and to stay informed. Demonstrations are slated for today in Rome, including routes from Piazza della Libertà to Piazza Risorgimento, a march toward the Colosseum, and a possible rally at the Circo Massimo.