More than 400,000 students took to the streets in over 40 Italian cities for the “No Meloni Day” protests, demonstrating against the high cost of living and the racist and militaristic policies of Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government.

In Rome, students targeted the Ministry of Education building, which was heavily guarded by riot police.

In Bologna, clashes with the police broke out in front of the city’s central train station.

In Turin, clashes with police occurred when students attempted to approach the Prefecture.

Across the country, dozens of schools and universities have been occupied by students, who report intimidation by police forces—including nighttime searches of their homes, arrests, and requirements to report regularly to police stations.

A general strike has been called for tomorrow, October 17, by the CGIL trade union confederation, with a national demonstration planned in Rome.

Another general strike has been scheduled for October 30 by grassroots unions and various social organizations.