Italy Raises Security for October 24 Protests

Italian authorities prepared heightened security for protests planned in eight cities on October 24, after demonstrations the previous weekend included violence and looting. The October 17 Movement said its gatherings would begin at 13:00 GMT, with events in each city converging at locations organizers planned to reveal 30 minutes beforehand. The reports were published in advance and do not establish the protests’ eventual scale or outcome. Rome police said they would use drones and helicopters to monitor demonstrations, while seeking to protect the right to lawful expression. Police also said raids had been carried out against people suspected of involvement in looting and rioting during the previous weekend’s protests. In Milan, additional personnel were expected to patrol the city centre. Mayor Giuseppe Sala said the city would not be shut down and encouraged shops to remain open after several boutiques were looted the previous weekend and other businesses closed or removed window displays. A separate antiwar group, the Antiimperialist Axis, had also organized a rally in Rome. The planned demonstrations came amid protests by students, truck drivers and farmers over budget...