Rome is gearing up for a nationwide demonstration scheduled for Saturday, October 4, against the ongoing atrocities in Gaza and the recent naval blockade experienced by the Flotilla. As international tensions rise, manifesting in various protests and mobilizations, the right to demonstrate is being carefully aligned with security needs. The provincial committee for public order and safety, convened by Rome’s Prefect Lamberto Giannini, has established an operational plan to deploy over 2,000 personnel from the State Police, Carabinieri, Guardia di Finanza, Local Police, and special units. The entire operation will be coordinated by the Capital’s police headquarters.
Recent directives from the Interior Ministry have mandated the suspension of all leave, permits, and holidays for law enforcement personnel until Monday, October 6, with exceptions made only for pressing needs. This measure aims to ensure full operational capacity over the weekend, which is expected to be crucial for public order and safety management. The authorized march will commence at 2:30 PM from Piazzale Ostiense, near Porta San Paolo, following a route that includes Viale Aventino, Via di San Gregorio, the Colosseum, Via Labicana, and Via Merulana, concluding at Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano by late afternoon.
Though organizers anticipate a turnout of at least 20,000 participants, estimates suggest that the crowd could be much larger, with many arriving from various regions. Authorities remain vigilant for potential spontaneous protests and the presence of groups from social centers, exemplified by the recent march on Wednesday which saw thousands walking from Piazza dei Cinquecento to San Silvestro in reaction to the Israeli military’s actions against the Global Sumud Flotilla. In the last 24 hours, mobilization has also escalated within schools and universities, with student collectives occupying the Political Science Faculty of Sapienza and several high schools as a form of protest. Tensions flared at the Caravillani Artistic High School earlier today.
Roberto Massucci, the police chief of Rome, has assured the public that the order service will be robust but will also respect the constitutional rights of the demonstrators. Additional reinforcements have been requested from other regions, and comprehensive checks will be conducted at the main entry points to the city, particularly at key transit nodes like Anagnina, Ponte Mammolo, and Rebibbia, with organized arrivals anticipated.
The Digos and the provincial Carabinieri’s intelligence unit have ramped up their monitoring efforts for any potential radical infiltrations from groups associated with social centers, such as Askatasuna from Turin, which has already announced its intended participation. The final security plan is set to be finalized on Friday during a technical meeting at police headquarters. Meanwhile, following the interception of Flotilla activists off the coast of Gaza, various labor unions, including the CGIL, have called for immediate new mobilizations. A general strike is planned for Friday, accompanied by a protest at Piazza dei Cinquecento in front of Termini Station, potentially leading to roadblocks and disruptions in public transport. This comes on the heels of a strike already declared by SI Cobas, running from 9 PM on October 2 to 9 PM the following day.
Through these coordinated efforts and demonstrations, citizens are actively voicing their concerns and advocating for peace and justice, reflecting a vibrant civil society committed to making their voices heard.