Organizers of a demonstration for Gaza in Rome’s Piazza dei Cinquecento have claimed a turnout of 100,000 people. The announcement was made from the stage set up for the event, which was called by the USB union. According to an initial estimate from law enforcement, however, the number of participants is around 20,000, a figure they describe as increasing.
The protest drew a wide range of groups, including student and teacher associations, as well as volunteers from the NGO Emergency.
The gathering was initially static, but organizers announced plans to block the square until 1:30 PM, after which a march would commence. The crowd responded with applause to an announcement about cancelled or delayed trains, a reference to the demonstration’s impact.
Speaking from the stage, organizers stated, “This movement must spread across all of Europe and the entire world. This square holds the best part of the country.”