Thousands of students took to the streets on Friday (16) in Rome, Milan, Bologna and Turin to demand structural improvements in public education and protest against the government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, according to Opera Mundi.

Student groups denounced the progressive deterioration of school infrastructure and demanded that the 13 billion euros earmarked for military spending be redirected to education. Representatives of Opposizione Studentesca d’Alternativa announced a general strike for October 30, and organisers estimate that 400,000 people took part in protests across Italy. According to the police union Siulp, at least 18 officers were injured during the march outside the Education Ministry.