Massive Rome protest demands end to Gaza war, condemns gov. complicity

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
7 Jun 2025 22:57
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Protests in support of Gaza and against the genocide in the Strip continue unabated.

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Protesters gather for a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Rome, Saturday, June 7, 2025. (AP)

Rome saw a vast wave of demonstrators flood its streets on Saturday, as an estimated 300,000 people gathered to protest the war on Gaza and voice outrage at the Italian government's response to the genocide. The rally, organized by opposition parties, aimed to denounce Italy's passive stance and complicity in the genocide.

Mentre #Calenda e #Renzi, con la loro manifestazione di ieri, hanno riempito le sedie di un bar, oggi a Roma c'era una marea di gente a sfilare, per rompere il silenzio sul genocidio in corso a #Gaza. C'è speranza in questo Paese. 🏳️‍🌈 🇵🇸#FreePalestine #FreeGaza #stopgenocidio pic.twitter.com/7IUiWuuuAn
— Antoine Doinel (@ciromarino_) June 7, 2025

A large banner leading the march read, "Stop the massacre, stop complicity!" Participants carried Palestinian flags, peace banners, and placards demanding justice and freedom for Palestinians. The protest proceeded peacefully, stretching from Piazza Vittorio to San Giovanni, where a stage was set up for speeches.

Police sources, cited by Italian news agency AGI, confirmed the crowd size approximated the figure shared by organizers.

Another Italy

Elly Schlein, head of the opposition Democratic Party, was among the key figures addressing the rally. Speaking to AFP, she called the event "an enormous popular response" against the war and criticized the government's silence.

The protest received support from several opposition groups, including the Five Star Movement and the Greens–Left Alliance. Schlein explained the purpose of the demonstration as a call to end the "massacre of Palestinians," to hold Israeli leadership accountable, and to reflect "another Italy".

"An Italy that does not keep silent as the Meloni government does, an Italy that instead wants peace, wants an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, humanitarian aid, and wants recognition of the state of Palestine," she told journalists.

A #Roma la manifestazione per #Gaza: "Stop al massacro", migliaia in piazza al grido di #PalestinaLibera - #InPiazzaPerGaza pic.twitter.com/tcylI4I5pd
— askanews (@askanews_ita) June 7, 2025

Moral stand

Former Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, now leading the Five Star Movement, also spoke to attendees. "To not be a partner to genocide," he said, was the reason for his presence. He pushed back against accusations of antisemitism directed at the demonstrators.

The protest comes amid heightened international scrutiny over the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza. The United Nations warned last month that famine threatens the entire population, with tens of thousands already reported dead, including a significant number of children.

In light of increasing pressure, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's statements on the matter have remained ambiguous.

While she recently acknowledged the "increasingly dramatic and unjustifiable" nature of the humanitarian crisis and noted having "often difficult conversations" with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, she also claimed that "it was not Israel that started the hostilities."

Shared outrage

Many who joined the march had traveled long distances. Gabriella Branca, a lawyer from Genoa, said, "It's unbearable to witness the massacre of 60,000 people, including 20,000 children. We have to say enough."

She expressed hope that the demonstration would inspire further public mobilization across the country.

"In other countries, as you know, demonstrations have drawn millions of people, so I hope that today in Rome we can send a signal to all of Italy, so that everyone takes to the streets to say enough and above all, to try to find peace," she told AFP.