Firecracker injures 15 police officers on day of pro-Palestinian protests in Italy

Anti-government demonstrators set off the explosive in Turin as police armed with batons fought them back

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15 police officers were treated in hospital after an explosive was thrown at them by anti-government protesters in Turin on Friday.
The incident happened after protesters, many of them students, tried to break through a phalanx of officers to reach police headquarters in one of the city’s main piazzas.
Police with batons and shields fought them back.
Protesters also attacked Italy’s national cinema museum, located inside the Mole Antonelliana, a domed building with a tall spire that is the symbol of Turin. Protesters tore down the Italian flag, an act which was condemned by museum staff.
“The Italian flag was torn down, some walls defaced, and museum staff were subjected to violence,” managers said in a statement.
Demonstrations were held across Italy for a mixed bag of causes on Friday: anger with the conservative coalition led by prime minister Giorgia Meloni, particularly its education policies, but also against the sale of arms to Israel.
Some waved Palestinian flags in solidarity with the suffering of people in the West Bank and Gaza. In Rome they carried a banner protesting against “a government of Fascists and Zionists”.
In Milan, demonstrators carried banners that read “No Meloni Day” and images of the Italian prime minister splashed with blood-red paint.
There were also protests in Bologna, Naples and Genoa. An effigy of the education minister was burnt.
Ms Meloni, who was elected just over two years ago and runs a conservative coalition comprising three parties, condemned the violence and expressed solidarity with the injured officers.
“We witnessed unacceptable scenes of violence and chaos in some piazzas by the usual troublemakers,” she said on social media.
“Several law enforcement officers ended up in the emergency room due to explosive devices and clashes.
“I hope that certain politicians stop protecting or justifying this violence and unambiguously join in condemning such serious and unworthy episodes.”
Matteo Piantedosi, the interior minister, condemned what he called “intolerable” unrest.
He said: “Once again today in Turin, during a march, we witnessed intolerable episodes of violence, with demonstrators who, violating the police headquarters’ instructions and changing route, attempted to reach the entrance to the prefecture.”
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