by Nina Vaclavikova
A few hundred people gathered in Trieste’s Piazza della Borsa this Saturday morning to protest Iran’s ruling regime, voicing support for freedom while expressing deep concern for relatives left behind. The demonstration, organized by the local Iranian community, drew participation across Italy’s political spectrum, including representatives from the Democratic Party, the League and Azione.
For many protesters, determination was tempered by fear. Several said they had lost contact with family members in Iran and worried about their safety. Those who were in the country when protests erupted described arduous journeys back to Italy, marked by canceled flights and rapidly rising travel costs. One Iranian woman, speaking anonymously, described the situation in Iran as increasingly dire.
