General Strike Paralyzes Italian Cities Amid High Tensions and Clashes

A nationwide general strike called by the Unione Sindacale di Base (USB) on Friday, October 30, brought widespread demonstrations, traffic blockades, and major disruptions to public and private sectors across Italy. According to organizers, approximately one million people participated in the protests nationwide, voicing opposition to the cost of living, military spending, and government policies. The Ministry of Education and Merit reported a provisional teacher and staff participation rate of 7.57% across participating school institutions.

In Bologna, an estimated 50,000 demonstrators joined a large march that resulted in a three-hour shutdown of the local bypass and highway. Tensions flared under an overbridge near via Stalingrado when protesters pushed past a police riot cordon. However, the situation later saw a moment of unexpected calm when some Guardia di Finanza officers lowered their shields and removed their helmets as the crowd passed. Demonstrators responded with applause, shouting "Good job" and "You are workers too," before the officers escorted the march until the bypass exit, after which protesters cleaned up the roadway.

Similar major disruptions occurred in Milan, where approximately 30,000 workers and students occupied a stretch of the eastern bypass near Cascina Gobba, causing significant traffic delays before exiting toward Lambrate. Protests and marches were also held in Rome, Turin, Naples, Palermo, Florence, and Genoa, drawing participation from university students, high schoolers, farmers, and transportation workers.

While many demonstrations remained peaceful, several cities experienced violent confrontations with law enforcement. In Turin, clashes broke out near piazza Castello as police used brief charges and water cannons to push back crowds away from the Prefecture. Two people were hospitalized and several others were detained. In Rome, a smaller group detached from the main march near the Colosseum to overturn trash cans and launch objects at riot police.

Protests in the Veneto region also turned volatile. In Vicenza, four police officers sustained injuries when demonstrators attempted to reach the western bypass, prompting law enforcement to use water cannons and tear gas against fireworks and smoke bombs. In Mestre, seven officers suffered minor cuts and bruises during a confrontation near a heavily secured overpass leading toward Venice. Meanwhile, port activities in Ravenna were halted by a demonstration organized by Filt Cgil focused on opposing arms shipments.

The demonstrations targeted various government policies, including education reforms and military spending. Protesters and allied labor groups demanded monthly wage increases of 300 euros for school staff to counter inflation, the cancellation of proposed technical school reforms, increased funding for public health and education, and opposition to regional autonomy bills. Demonstrators also heavily criticized Education and Minister Giuseppe Valditara, with an effigy of the minister being burned during a protest in Padua.

Authorities maintained a high security presence across the country following earlier unrest on October 17. As authorities monitor digital channels for threats, the general strike has also set the stage for further labor action, with the CGIL union already scheduling another general strike for November 20 alongside student mobilizations.