Italie
IN PICTURES: Dramatic protests in Italy against the extension of Covid-19 measures
Saturday’s protests began when thousands gathered in Rome’s Piazza Del Popolo, shouting “Draghi, Draghi, vaffanculo. [f**k you]”. Many are angry at the Italian Prime Minister’s decision to extend the Covid-19 health system to all workplaces.
Scuffles broke out with police as protesters attacked the health pass, which has been mandatory to enter museums, sporting events and restaurants since August.
Although the march was authorized, several hundred people broke away from the main column and tried to march on the Parliament. Members of what appears to be a far-right group, Forza Nuova, attacked and occupied the headquarters of the CGIL, the Italian Italian General Confederation of Labor.
Police used water cannon and tear gas to stop them, and arrested several protesters during the clashes, according to the AGI news agency.
Other demonstrations took place in the northern city of Milan and in Cesena, in central Italy.
The office of Prime Minister Mario Draghi issued a statement condemning the protests. “the violence that took place today in several Italian cities” and said that the government “continues its commitment to complete the vaccination campaign against Covid-19.”
Three weeks ago, the government announced that the green pass system would be extended to all workplaces from October 15 and that employees who refuse to comply would be suspended without pay.
The green pass system is already in place for all medical workers and those who work in schools. It requires individuals to provide a certificate of vaccination, proof of recovery from Covid-19 or a recent negative test result.
Nearly 80% of people over 12 in Italy have been fully vaccinated, according to government statistics.
The first European country to suffer the full effects of the pandemic, Italy has already recorded over 130,000 deaths.
