Turin students march, occupy schools and clash with police amid climate rally
Students in Turin marched through the city, occupying several schools and painting politicians' portraits red, while a climate protest took place nearby.
After days of strikes and school takeovers, Turin students launched a march that started at Gioberti, Einstein and Cattaneo schools and proceeded to Piazza XVIII Dicembre, chanting slogans and covering portraits of premier Giorgia Meloni, defence minister Guido Crosetto, education minister Giuseppe Valditara and PD leader Elly Schlein with red paint. The crowd sang "Bella Ciao" before the protest merged with a climate rally organized by Fridays For Future and Extinction Rebellion, which also left Palazzo Nuovo.
Police imposed a high alert, shutting entrances to Porta Susa station and the metro, and prohibited helmets, masks, fireworks and glass containers. In the preceding days, about thirty youths aged 16-20 were identified for assaults on schools including Colombatto, Boselli, Peano and Bosso Monti; a 17-year-old was arrested for resisting officers and aggravated damage, and a carabiniere was injured by a thrown stone. A teacher and a school staff member suffered minor injuries while trying to stop an occupation at Colombatto.
Why it matters
The protests highlight growing youth unrest over education funding and climate policy, prompting a strong police response in a major Italian city.
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