by InTrieste
A pro-Palestinian march in Udine descended into violence on Tuesday night as clashes between demonstrators and police left several people injured, including journalists and law enforcement officers.
The demonstration, organized by the Committee for Palestine of Udine, began peacefully but turned chaotic as it reached Piazza Primo Maggio, the final destination of the march. According to police estimates, around 8,000 people took part in the event, while organizers claimed as many as 15,000.
The situation escalated around 8:30 p.m. along Viale della Vittoria, the street connecting Piazza Primo Maggio to Piazzale Osoppo. Police deployed water cannons and tear gas after projectiles were thrown at officers. Stones, flares, and other objects were hurled, igniting small fires and damaging public property. Street signs were torn down, and parts of the city were left defaced.
At least ten police officers and two journalists were reported injured, one of them seen with a bloodied face. Several demonstrators were detained, though the exact number has not been confirmed.
Authorities described the violence as the work of a small group — about a hundred people, according to police — who broke away from the main body of peaceful participants. “The city is in shock,” one official said, as crews began cleaning debris and assessing the damage late into the night.
Both regional and national leaders condemned the violence. Pierpaolo Roberti, Friuli Venezia Giulia’s regional councilor for security, praised the police for their “professionalism and sense of duty,” while Governor Massimiliano Fedriga expressed “gratitude and solidarity” with law enforcement and journalists on the scene.
What began as a demonstration in support of Palestine ended as one of the most violent protests the city has seen in recent years, underscoring growing tensions across Italy as the conflict in the Middle East continues to resonate at home.
