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The police used batons, pepper spray and water cannons
Photo: Mauro Scrobogna / dpa
Serious riots broke out in Rome during protests against the corona policy of the Italian government.
Several thousand demonstrators marched through the streets of the capital and repeatedly clashed with the police.
There were violent clashes, the police used batons, pepper spray and water cannons.
The demonstrators tried to break through barriers and, in turn, threw chairs and bombs, as seen on videos.
In the early evening, the protesters stormed the headquarters of the largest Italian trade union, the CGIL.
Amateur footage showed them attacking the security guards and policemen with sticks and flagpoles and then pushing through the door into the building.
Prime Minister Mario Draghi condemned the violence in the streets, stressing that trade unions are guarantors of democracy and workers' rights and that any attempt at intimidation should be severely punished.
CGIL General Secretary Maurizio Landini called the attack an “organized act of fascist violence, an attack on democracy and the whole world of work that we will fight off.
Nobody should believe that they can push our country back into the fascist era. "
Participation in events only with a »Green Pass«
In Italy, further measures against the pandemic will come into effect next week.
From October 15th, every employee in the private or public sector must have a so-called "Green Passport", ie proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test (which must be paid for).
The critics of this passport and opponents of the vaccination recently raised the mood against the measure.
At the same time, however, the pass ensures that relaxations are possible from Monday: Cinemas, theaters and concert halls can be used to 100 percent again.
Discos can also reopen.
Entry to all events is only available with the »Green Pass«.
kim / dpa
