Tumultuous Protest at La Sapienza University Leads to Student Arrests and Injured Police Officer
The tension was high today at La Sapienza University in Rome as clashes erupted between approximately 300 students and law enforcement. The day ended with a tally of two arrests, several injuries including police officers, and students being contained and repelled by police shields and batons.
The students were protesting under the slogan “keep war out of the university” on the same day that the academic senate was discussing their position regarding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East since October 7th (at the end of the day, a document was signed expressing sorrow over the escalation of the conflict and reiterating opposition to any form of boycott of scientific collaboration).
The protest initially began within the university campus but quickly moved and expanded onto Viale Regina Elena, where tensions escalated and the demonstration was blocked by law enforcement. It was there that the clashes began. Pushing, baton strikes, and moments of extreme tension unfolded in the heart of the city. One participant even jumped on a police service vehicle, causing damage and subsequently being arrested.
Furthermore, the protesters also damaged two vehicles belonging to the internal security personnel of the university outside of the Rectorate building. Later on, many demonstrators attempted to break into the university police station but were unsuccessful. During this confrontation, one police officer was assaulted by a protester and subsequently arrested. Other protesters headed towards the San Lorenzo police station, where one of the arrestees had been taken. In the end, two individuals were arrested.
The two individuals detained by the police during the pro-Palestine demonstration in Rome’s San Lorenzo district were a 29-year-old foreign male and a 27-year-old Italian female. The police officer injured during the incident was attacked by the 27-year-old woman.
The protest also targeted Rector Antonella Polimeni, who, according to the demonstrators, had refused to take a stance on the war in the Middle East. “My support goes out to the Rector,” commented Minister of University, Anna Maria Bernini. “What is happening at La Sapienza University is disgraceful. Legitimate protests should never turn into violence and intimidation. The decision made by the Senate highlights that the academic community does not accept impositions from a minority that seeks to isolate Italian universities from the international context. Research cannot be boycotted.”
Strong condemnations came from the Presidents of the Chamber and Senate, Fontana and La Russa, as well as from several ministers. “Full condemnation for the violence carried out today by collectives in Rome,” wrote Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. “Devastation, assaults, clashes, attacks on a Rectorate building and a police station, with a senior official being punched. This is not protesting, but criminal behavior. My solidarity goes to the assaulted police officer, all law enforcement officers, and teachers.”
“I spoke with Police Chief Belfiore to express my gratitude to the police forces and show my support for the injured officers following the regrettable incidents that took place this afternoon at La Sapienza University in Rome,” stated Prefect of Rome, Lamberto Giannini. “Expressing one’s ideas through protests is a constitutional right that inherently involves the concept of dialogue while rejecting any form of violence intended for this purpose,” he added.
According to Domenico Pianese, secretary of the Coisp Police Union, “the demonstrations organized by collectives and social centers only aim to incite and fuel clashes with law enforcement. These individuals who take to the streets disguised as protesters are merely looking for ways to provoke tension and create chaos.” In contrast, a statement was issued in the evening by representatives of the Communist Youth Front, which read: “For months, we students have been mobilizing and have received nothing but repression from the university. Today, we called for a strike to demand a stance from the university against the genocide in Palestine and the termination of military agreements between La Sapienza and Israeli arms companies and universities. The response we received was that of a Rector who only knows how to handle dialogue with students through the use of batons.”
Violence is never acceptable, from any perspective and in any form,” said Giovanna Iannantuoni, President of CRUI. “It is even more unacceptable when it attempts to force a decision democratically made by a governing body of a university. Italian universities are and will always be a place for the exchange of ideas and culture. Rector Polimeni has my full support.”
