Tens of Thousands Rally in Rome in Competing Pro- and Anti-Immigration Marches

Tens of thousands of people marched through Rome in two competing demonstrations, one supporting immigration and the other opposing it, after a far-right citizens’ initiative gathered enough support to reach debate in parliament. The proposal seeks sweeping measures against foreigners, including forced returns, incentives to leave Italy, and broader policies that critics warn could also affect legal residents.

A few thousand people joined the anti-immigration march, where participants sang the national anthem and many raised their arms in a fascist salute. The rival pro-immigration rally drew tens of thousands and included a range of left-wing groups and labor unions.

Some of the pro-immigration demonstrators waved Palestinian flags. The marches took place in Rome amid a wider political fight over immigration policy in Italy, with the far-right initiative now moving into parliamentary discussion.