the protest
General strike and demonstrations in more than 50 cities. What’s happening today
Called by the USB against rearmament and the high cost of living, it involves schools, healthcare and transport, despite Salvini’s call-up order. The Home Office fears further unrest and promises to “isolate the violent protesters”. The CGIL has called a general strike on 20 November
Images from the general strike called by USB last May, a march in Milan (ANSA/MOURAD BALTI TOUATI)
Who is striking and why
? There are two main demands: against rearmament and against the cost of living. In more than 50 cities, workers, pensioners, students, housing rights groups and pro-Palestine organisations will take to the streets together, and today’s general strike – called by the USB (Unione Sindacale di Base), an independent trade union – will also extend to the ports, with protests against the arms trade. Maurizio Landini (CGIL) has called for another mobilisation on 20 November, though the CISL and UIL have already stated they will not be taking part.
? There are two main demands: against rearmament and against the cost of living. In more than 50 cities, workers, pensioners, students, housing rights groups and pro-Palestine organisations will take to the streets together, and today’s general strike – called by the USB (Unione Sindacale di Base), an independent trade union – will also extend to the ports, with protests against the arms trade. Maurizio Landini (CGIL) has called for another mobilisation on 20 November, though the CISL and UIL have already stated they will not be taking part.
Which services are affected
? The strike affects various sectors, from education to healthcare and transport. A detailed timetable of the industrial action, sector by sector, is published on the website of the Strike Guarantee Commission.
? The strike affects various sectors, from education to healthcare and transport. A detailed timetable of the industrial action, sector by sector, is published on the website of the Strike Guarantee Commission.
Transport
sector compulsory service order The Ministry of Transport has issued a compulsory service order to workers in the sector. “I have done my duty as minister, namely to issue a compulsory service order to those who have no right to call a strike,” said Matteo Salvini, assuring that Ferrovie dello Stato “will guarantee all scheduled trains as on a normal day”. The USB union, however, confirms that the strike will go ahead in the transport sector too, “accepting the extremely heavy fines, but in the knowledge that these are unlawful”. The risk of disruption therefore remains very real, even if it is more difficult to predict than usual.
sector compulsory service order The Ministry of Transport has issued a compulsory service order to workers in the sector. “I have done my duty as minister, namely to issue a compulsory service order to those who have no right to call a strike,” said Matteo Salvini, assuring that Ferrovie dello Stato “will guarantee all scheduled trains as on a normal day”. The USB union, however, confirms that the strike will go ahead in the transport sector too, “accepting the extremely heavy fines, but in the knowledge that these are unlawful”. The risk of disruption therefore remains very real, even if it is more difficult to predict than usual.
Where are the demonstrations?
Rome. Twenty thousand people are expected in the historic centre. The Colosseum – where last Saturday some protesters entered the amphitheatre – and the Circus Maximus – where the ‘Defence Village’ is being inaugurated today, featuring displays of armoured vehicles, drones and military equipment from all the armed forces – are under heightened security, as they are potential targets for protesters.
Milan. There will be two marches, taking place away from the historic centre – which was the scene of the looting on 17 and 18 October – and heading north towards the ring road.
Turin. Two marches in the morning and one in the afternoon.
Bologna. Thousands of people are expected to attend. In many cities, students and activist groups will join the protests: in recent days, mobilisation has grown on university campuses, from Milan – where a lecture theatre at the Bicocca was occupied yesterday – to Naples.
The security
plan Yesterday, the Minister of the Interior, Matteo Piantedosi, held a video conference with prefects, police chiefs and senior police officers from all regional capitals. “There are cause for concern, because this way of mobilising the streets is very insidious,” he said, “but it is no different from what we have dealt with so far”. The Ministry of the Interior has announced a plan to “safeguard the right to peaceful protest, ensure the safety of the whole community, and isolate those who take to the streets solely to cause disorder and commit acts of violence”. Social media is also under scrutiny, to intercept any surprise actions such as those organised in recent weeks. It is also the first major strike since the Security Decree came into force, which extends preventive detention to minors.
plan Yesterday, the Minister of the Interior, Matteo Piantedosi, held a video conference with prefects, police chiefs and senior police officers from all regional capitals. “There are cause for concern, because this way of mobilising the streets is very insidious,” he said, “but it is no different from what we have dealt with so far”. The Ministry of the Interior has announced a plan to “safeguard the right to peaceful protest, ensure the safety of the whole community, and isolate those who take to the streets solely to cause disorder and commit acts of violence”. Social media is also under scrutiny, to intercept any surprise actions such as those organised in recent weeks. It is also the first major strike since the Security Decree came into force, which extends preventive detention to minors.
The controversy over underestimated
threats The controversy over the violence two weeks ago remains in the background. The Director of Counter-Terrorism, Lucio Pifferi, insists that “no threat was underestimated”, and that the acts of destruction and looting on 17 and 18 October were not “entirely preventable”, given their scale and the manner in which they were carried out for the first time. The PD, through Matteo Mauri and Debora Serracchiani, tabled a parliamentary question to ascertain whether the minister had been informed of the reports and what measures he had taken. On behalf of AVS, Filiberto Zaratti called on Piantedosi to “not remain silent”.
threats The controversy over the violence two weeks ago remains in the background. The Director of Counter-Terrorism, Lucio Pifferi, insists that “no threat was underestimated”, and that the acts of destruction and looting on 17 and 18 October were not “entirely preventable”, given their scale and the manner in which they were carried out for the first time. The PD, through Matteo Mauri and Debora Serracchiani, tabled a parliamentary question to ascertain whether the minister had been informed of the reports and what measures he had taken. On behalf of AVS, Filiberto Zaratti called on Piantedosi to “not remain silent”.