Overview: A nationwide day of protests in support of Gaza and the Flotilla
A broad coalition of unions and protest groups is staging a general strike and a wave of demonstrations across Italy in solidarity with the Gaza Flotilla. From the opening morning hours, major cities reported heavy turnout and widespread disruption of traffic, rail, and metro services. The protests are taking shape as a unified push against the war and for humanitarian access, with participants ranging from students and workers to community groups and cultural figures.
Bologna: A14 closed after march spills onto the ring road
In Bologna, precautionary measures escalated into a disruption of the city’s highway network. The A14 Autostrada was closed between Borgo Panigale and San Lazzaro after the protest march briefly entered the adjacent tangential highway. Authorities also shut the Casalecchio raccordo between the A1 and the A14 junction, creating a near-total lock on Bologna’s highway node. Local transit and surrounding roads faced significant delays as demonstrators continued through the area.
Milano: Tangenziale and autostrade blocked, public transport affected
Milano saw the eastern tangenziale blocked around the Lambrate exit, with closures in both directions. The disruption extended to tram and metro operations as demonstrators moved through the city. About five transit lines were affected as authorities managed crowd movements and rerouted vehicles. The metro system reported that services continued with some line deviations and timing adjustments, while longer travel times were common for commuters.
Turin, Genova, and the north: Split protests and port disruptions
In Turin, the municipal protest split into two blocks, with one segment explicitly aiming to press into multiple city points as a show of solidarity. Genoa saw authorities close the city’s port area crosspoint, with the main corteo proceeding via the elevated corridors toward central streets. An additional group gathered at port gates to sustain pressure on operations. Across the region, traffic disruptions and detours marked the morning, reflecting a broad logistical impact of the day’s events.
Veneto and the lagoon cities: Two marches to block key transport links
Venezia and Mestre organized two coordinated processions aiming to converge on the Ponte della Libertà, with thousands of participants anticipated to halt access between the city and the mainland. In Padova, a block at the Interporto was reported as protesters targeted logistics hubs seen as symbols of broader geopolitical contention. In Verona, about five thousand participants moved through the city, parallel to tangenziale disruptions in nearby areas.
Rome and southern hubs: street protests, eggs at barriers, and port actions
Rome’s demonstration reached the Ministry of Transport with a symbolic gesture of protest; a group of students cast eggs at barriers guarding the ministerial premises as the march protected the Verano area. In Naples, the crowd diverted toward the port in a show of intent to
