Thousands of workers and students gathered in Turin on October 30 for a general strike organized by the Base Union (Usb), joined by Usi-Cit, Cobas, Sindacato Sociale di Base, and student collectives including Osa, Cambiare Rotta, and Cua. The demonstration, which began at 9:30 AM in Piazza Palazzo di Città, operated under the central slogan "Abbassate le armi, alzate i salari" (Lower weapons, raise wages). Organizers from Usb stated that more than 50,000 people participated in the march, which proceeded from City Hall through Via Milano and Porta Palazzo toward its planned conclusion in Piazza Derna within the Barriera di Milano district.
The protest highlighted deep concerns regarding the cost of living and government spending on defense. Maximiliano Maranesi, a logistics worker and Usb member, emphasized that rising fuel costs have made work unsustainable for many truck drivers, noting that a full tank of diesel has doubled from 1,500 to 3,000 euros. He argued that funds allocated to the military industry should instead improve working conditions and wages for future generations. Student representatives echoed these sentiments, with Zeno Lazzari of Osa Torino describing an "extraordinary" turnout as students mobilized against a government converting billions into European rearmament rather than investing in schools and universities.
Tensions arose early in the day when two bins of manure were dumped in front of City Hall before the march began. Lorenzo Montanari of Usb explained the act as an expression of anger toward international institutions, the national government, and local opposition parties for maintaining a war policy. Later, clashes occurred in Via Po and Via Rossini between police and autonomous protesters. A separate group of students linked to Cua and Askatasuna broke away from the main procession, forcing their way past police lines to head toward Porta Susa and Porta Nuova stations. This splinter group caused significant disruptions, leading to the closure of several station entrances as a precautionary measure, though ticket holders were still allowed access.
The main demonstration announced its intention to continue beyond Piazza Derna to block the entrance of the ring road (tangenziale) near the Sfinge roundabout. Meanwhile, the student splinter group moved toward Via Po and Piazza Castello, with some protesters climbing a monument on Corso Vittorio to wave flags and set off smoke bombs. Police were deployed in force at Porta Nuova, closing access on Corso Vittorio while keeping side doors open for travelers.
Political reactions to the event were sharply divided. Fabrizio Ricca of the Lega party condemned the disruptions, stating that the city was being held hostage by a splinter group refusing police directives, which left buses and trams stranded despite no official strike in public transport. Conversely, Chiara Appendino, former mayor of Turin and current Five Star Movement deputy, defended the protesters as people fighting for their future against an exploding cost of living. She criticized attempts to label demonstrators as violent criminals, noting that many were simply seeking a place in society. Marco Grimaldi of Avs also joined the rally, wearing black clothing to show solidarity with young people detained by police solely for their attire.
The movement extended beyond Turin, with approximately 2,000 students marching in Cuneo against the cost of living and rearmament. The Cuneo demonstration, organized by various local groups including Non Una di Meno and Rifondazione Comunista, concluded at the Resistance Park for an open dialogue session. In Turin, individual testimonies underscored the economic strain on participants; Giuseppe, a student and shop assistant, noted he could no longer afford dignified groceries or rent, while teacher Maria Speranza highlighted families struggling to pay for schoolbooks and meals.
Sources: La Repubblica.