Milan youth movement pledges permanent Saturday protests

The newly formed Movimento 17 ottobre took responsibility for looting and clashes in central Milan last weekend. Members say deep anger and fear for the future drive their actions, and they describe their effort as a do-it-yourself revolution.

The group claims it emerged spontaneously from shared demands and says young people have no space to express themselves or dialogue with institutions. It cites events in France as proof that Italy is now ready for similar action.

“We will make the government fall.”

Il Giornale reports the Instagram account Italia in piazza appeared on October 4 and drew five thousand people to Piazza Duomo thirteen days later. Police recorded 271 people in two days, including 220 minors, and made 32 arrests.

The movement now promises permanent mobilization every Saturday until what it calls a thieving government falls. A twenty-one-year-old cultural heritage student named Louis is identified as a Milan representative alongside someone named Andrea.

Louis says the movement began on October 10 or 11, although the account existed from October 4. He distances the group from maranza but admits he can understand why shops are set on fire.