World · Europe · 3 hrs ago
Ten young people reported after clashes at cost-of-living protest in Brescia
Clashes broke out at a cost-of-living protest in Brescia on Saturday, 17 October, as the demonstration was ending.
The protest, called “Italia in piazza”, drew thousands of people, many of them young, who wanted attention on rising living costs and families’ financial difficulties.
About ten young people have been identified and reported to police, including some minors; police say they seized batons and sticks during searches.
Witnesses told one local outlet that a group they believed were far-right supporters provoked protesters, but that account has not been confirmed by the other coverage.
People threw objects at police, who responded with tear gas; tables and chairs were also overturned, and no injuries were reported in the initial information.
Police are reviewing video to identify more people involved, while Brescia’s mayor condemned the violence and said it should not be used to judge peaceful protest.
Ten young people have been identified and reported to authorities over clashes during a cost-of-living protest in Brescia.
The clashes took place on 17 October in Piazza Duomo, where demonstrators threw objects at police and police used tear gas.
Police searches reportedly found batons and clubs, and officers are reviewing footage to identify other people involved.
The protest, called “Italia in piazza,” had focused on rising living costs and economic difficulties facing families.
Mayor Laura Castelletti condemned the violence while saying it should not be used to judge all forms of protest.
- Who
- Ten young people, some minors and others recently adults, were identified and reported. Police are seeking to identify others.
- What
- Clashes broke out during a protest against the cost of living. Demonstrators threw objects at police, who responded with tear gas.
- When
- The protest and clashes took place on Saturday, 17 October 2026. The reports of identifications and searches followed on 18 October.
- Where
- Piazza Duomo, Brescia. Bresciaoggi also reported an attack on a Carabinieri car near Piazza Vittoria.
- Why
- The protest was against the cost of living and economic difficulties facing families. The sources do not establish why the clashes began.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The “Italia in piazza” protest against the cost of living took place in Brescia, and clashes broke out during its final phase.
Police had identified and reported ten young people and were reviewing footage to look for others involved.
- Reported young people
- 10
- Protest date
- 17 October 2026
- Protest location
- Piazza Duomo, Brescia
- Protest name
- Italia in piazza
- Police response
- Tear gas
- Protest turnout estimates
- At least 3,000 according to organisers; just over 650 according to the police
3 sources
What people are saying
We cannot allow this freedom to be compromised by people who take advantage of a demonstration to commit acts of violence.
They started shouting, first insults, then throwing small bottles and stones at the young people.
From a peaceful demonstration, we found ourselves facing guerrilla warfare.
They were nasty, aggressive, all with glass in their hands that they had taken from our tables.