Security plan involves 1,500 police officers, drones and social media monitoring ahead of Saturday protests.Rome police are on high alert for Saturday 24 October, with a major security operation planned to prevent a repeat of the disorder seen in Milan last weekend.At least 1,500 officers will be deployed, with the aim of protecting the historic centre, the central Tridente district and the Via Cola di Rienzo area near the Vatican. Particular attention will go to shops belonging to major brands. Four events are expected, though only two have been authorised, state broadcaster RAI News reports. At 10.30, around 700 members of the right-wing youth group Gioventù Nazionale are due to march from Piazza della Libertà to Piazza Risorgimento, along Via Cola di Rienzo. In the afternoon, the Asse Antimperialista group expects up to 10,000 people at its “Fuori l’Italia dalla guerra” march against rearmament and war, in solidarity with Palestine. It will run from Piazza della Repubblica to Via dei Fori Imperiali. Police are most concerned about two gatherings called only online for 15.00. One is by the newly formed “Movimento 17 ottobre” at the Circo Massimo, aimed at students and young people. The other is a sit-in by the group “Noi siamo il popolo” in Piazza del Popolo. Neither appears to have been formally notified. The organisers of the Circo Massimo event say they want to give voice to youth discontent, job insecurity and the cost of living. They have distanced themselves from the violence but said they cannot control who turns up. Police fear infiltration by anarchist or other militant groups. Preparations for the “Villaggio Difesa” - an event in celebration of Italy's military ahead of the National Unity and Armed Forces Day on 4 November - are also under way at the Circus Maximus. Officers from the Carabinieri will support the police, and the railway police will cover the main stations. Checks will begin at rail stations, bus terminals and metro stops to intercept people before they reach the centre. Police drones and helicopters will provide aerial surveillance. To prevent property damage, Rome's municipal waste management company AMA has reportedly begun removing rubbish bins and glass recycling containers from streets deemed to be at risk. Online, the city’s cybersecurity centre and the Digos political police have spent days monitoring Telegram, Instagram and other platforms. Police are also watching organised football fan groups, amid concern over possible “counter-mobilisations” in response to events in other Italian cities. Police say the aim is to guarantee the right to protest while allowing no illegality. The move comes after protests in Milan against the rising cost of living degenerated into clashes with police, vandalism and looting last Saturday and Sunday. In response, the Italian government approved a new public order decree, in a crackdown directed mainly at young people, and is deploying 500 additional soldiers to the streets of Milan. Photo credit: BreizhAtao / Shutterstock.com

Rome police are on high alert for Saturday 24 October, with a major security operation planned to prevent a repeat of the disorder seen in Milan last weekend. At least 1,500 officers will be deployed, with the aim of protecting the historic centre, the central Tridente district and the Via Cola di Rienzo area near the Vatican. Particular attention will go to shops belonging to major brands. Four events are expected, though only two have been authorised, state broadcaster RAI News reports. At 10.30, around 700 members of the right-wing youth group Gioventù Nazionale are due to march from Piazza della Libertà to Piazza Risorgimento, along Via Cola di Rienzo. In the afternoon, the Asse Antimperialista group expects up to 10,000 people at its “Fuori l’Italia dalla guerra” march against rearmament and war, in solidarity with Palestine. It will run from Piazza della Repubblica to Via dei Fori Imperiali. Police are most concerned about two gatherings called only online for 15.00. One is by the newly formed “Movimento 17 ottobre” at the Circo Massimo, aimed at students and young people. The other is a sit-in by the group “Noi siamo il popolo” in Piazza del Popolo. Neither appears to have been formally notified. The organisers of the Circo Massimo event say they want to give voice to youth discontent, job insecurity and the cost of living. They have distanced themselves from the violence but said they cannot control who turns up. Police fear infiltration by anarchist or other militant groups. Preparations for the “Villaggio Difesa” - an event in celebration of Italy's military ahead of the National Unity and Armed Forces Day on 4 November - are also under way at the Circus Maximus. Officers from the Carabinieri will support the police, and the railway police will cover the main stations. Checks will begin at rail stations, bus terminals and metro stops to intercept people before they reach the centre. Police drones and helicopters will provide aerial surveillance. To prevent property damage, Rome's municipal waste management company AMA has reportedly begun removing rubbish bins and glass recycling containers from streets deemed to be at risk. Online, the city’s cybersecurity centre and the Digos political police have spent days monitoring Telegram, Instagram and other platforms. Police are also watching organised football fan groups, amid concern over possible “counter-mobilisations” in response to events in other Italian cities. Police say the aim is to guarantee the right to protest while allowing no illegality. The move comes after protests in Milan against the rising cost of living degenerated into clashes with police, vandalism and looting last Saturday and Sunday. In response, the Italian government approved a new public order decree, in a crackdown directed mainly at young people, and is deploying 500 additional soldiers to the streets of Milan. Photo credit: BreizhAtao / Shutterstock.com