Protests over living costs and education policy spur clashes across Italian cities

Thousands across Italy marched Saturday against living costs and education policy, clashing with police in Milan, Rome, Turin and other cities.

• In Milan, marchers threw stones and fireworks at police; officers used water cannons and tear gas, leaving several injured and arrested.
• In Rome, around 20,000 students, per organizers, burned US and Israeli flags and called for an Israel boycott while urging more education funding and less military spending.
• Protests spread to Turin, Verona, Genoa, Venice, Padua, Treviso and Cagliari, where police detained 20 minors.
• Deputy PM Antonio Tajani said the right to protest is sacred but violence is unacceptable; Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara called the demonstrations "politically motivated riots."