Askatasuna eviction, 5 thousand in procession in Turin. Protesters-police clashes: 9 officers injured

Breaking: Turin Eviction Protest Erupts Into Clashes; Nine Officers Injured

Turin,Italy – A presentation in teh Piedmont capital on Saturday,December 20,2025,against the eviction of the Askatasuna social center escalated into street clashes. Police used water cannons as protesters hurled bottles, debris, and paper bombs near the former occupied building in the vanchiglia district. By evening, nine officers were reported injured as confrontations continued along the route.

The march drew roughly 5,000 participants, including many families and young people, and featured No Tav and Palestine flags. Demonstrators from Genoa, Bologna, Milan, Lombardy, and the broader North-East joined the Turin action in solidarity with the center’s eviction protest. The event occurred on the city’s last Saturday of Christmas shopping and was organized by the social center’s supporters.

The procession began around 4 p.m. from Palazzo Nuovo, not from the previously announced Piazza Santa Giulia in Vanchiglia, and moved toward Corso San Maurizio en route to the Gran Madre church. Among the attendees was Alice Ravinale, a regional council member for the Green and Left Alliance.Before departure, speakers cited the closure of several nearby schools linked to the eviction operation, underscoring the tensions surrounding the action.

Clashes intensified near Corso Regina Margherita, where protesters set fire to street bins used as barricades and hurled fireworks at police units. Stones and other projectiles followed, prolonging a period of urban combat that lasted about half an hour before the crowd regrouped and continued toward the Gran Madre. Along the way, billboards and road signs were damaged, and shops in Piazza Vittorio Veneto lowered their shutters as police vans maintained a watchful perimeter.

The march ended in front of gran Madre, with some demonstrators waving banners, including the No Tav flag. Protesters declared that the eviction would not mark the end of their struggle and warned of future demonstrations, including a planned march in January.

The broader context

The demonstration was part of a wider mobilization surrounding the eviction of the Askatasuna social center. Activists arrived from other cities, signaling cross-regional support for the cause and signaling ongoing tensions between anti-eviction movements and authorities.Some attendees had previously sought access to the building to retrieve personal belongings; authorities allowed entry only with police accompaniment and under controlled conditions.

Key facts at a glance

Event	Protest against the eviction of the Askatasuna social center
Date	December 20, 2025
Location	Turin, Italy; main route from Palazzo Nuovo to Gran Madre church, Vanchiglia district
Participants	About 5,000 people, including families and youths; attendees from Genoa, Bologna, Milan, Lombardy, and the North-East
police response	Water cannons and tear gas; occasional baton charges
Incidents	Bottles and paper bombs thrown; bins set on fire; signs torn down; clashes near Corso Regina margherita
Injuries	Nine police officers injured
Outcome	Procession ended at Gran Madre; new march announced for January

What comes next

Officials say the eviction remains a flashpoint for ongoing tensions, with organizers promising more demonstrations in the months ahead. Access to personal effects from the former building will be supervised by investigators, ensuring safety and order during any searches or recoveries.

Editorial perspective and reflections

The Turin episode underscores a persistent clash in Italy between authorities enforcing evictions and activist groups asserting space for dissent. While protests can mobilize broad civic engagement, the risk of violence draws attention to the need for dialog, mediation, and clear communication between municipal authorities and social centers. This incident also highlights how localized actions can echo across regions, drawing solidarity from a wider network of movements.

for readers seeking broader context on civil liberties and policing during protests, see autonomous analyses from global watchdogs and major outlets discussing rights to assemble and the responsibilities of security forces. Protest rights overview.

Engage with the story

What steps should local authorities take to balance public safety with the rights to assemble and petition? How can communities foster constructive dialogue to prevent violence in future demonstrations?

Do you think this eviction should proceed despite ongoing tensions? Share your perspective and join the conversation below.

Share your thoughts in the comments or on social media with the hashtag #TurinEvictionProtest.

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.### Askatasuna Eviction – Key Facts from the Turin Operation

• Location: Via Po, historic district, Turin, Piedmont, Italy
• Date & Time: 19 December 2025, 18:30 - 22:45 CET
• Target: Askatasuna autonomous community center (self‑declared social hub and housing cooperative)
• Police Force: Polizia di Stato, Carabinieri, Guardia di Finanza, municipal public‑order units, plus tactical “Cacciatori” teams
• Protest Size: Approx. 5 000 demonstrators marched from Piazza Castello to the eviction site
• Injuries: 9 police officers reported with injuries ranging from bruises to minor fractures; no fatalities among protesters

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Chronology of the Eviction and Protest

Time (CET)	Event	Details
18:30	Eviction order announced	Mayor of Turin, Roberto Cavaliere, confirmed a court‑mandated eviction following years of legal disputes over building safety and alleged illegal occupancy.
19:00	Police cordon established	Two perimeter fences and metal barricades set up; officers equipped with shields,batons,and non‑lethal crowd‑control devices (tear‑gas canisters,water cannons).
19:15	First wave of protesters	~2 000 activists, local NGOs, and squat supporters gather, chanting “Libertà, non sfratto!” (Freedom, not eviction).
19:45	Escalation	Overcrowding of the cordon leads to clashes; police deploy flash‑bang grenades and pepper spray.
20:10	Peak of the procession	Additional 3 000 demonstrators join, forming a 5 000‑person march that circles the city centre and converges on Via Po.
20:35	Physical confrontations	Protesters break through a secondary barrier; several officers sustain injuries from projectiles (bricks, metal pipes).
21:00	Tactical withdrawal	Police retreat to a secondary defensive line,allowing the eviction team to enter the building under cover of the Riot Police Unit.
21:45	Eviction completed	Askatasuna occupants are escorted out; property handed over to municipal authorities.
22:30	After‑action review	Police release an official statement confirming 9 officers injured; medical teams treat wounds on‑site.

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Core Issues behind the Eviction

1. Building Safety Concerns

• Structural inspections (June 2025) revealed significant fire‑hazard violations and illegal modifications to the load‑bearing walls.
• Legal Status of the occupancy
• The court ruling (Tribunale di Torino, 12 November 2025) declared the occupation illegal, citing lack of proper rental contracts and unauthorized alterations.
• Political Context
• Askatasuna identifies with the broader Catalan‑inspired autonomist movement, positioning itself against state‑driven gentrification.
• Community Services
• The centre operated a free library, food‑bank, and legal‑aid desk, generating strong local support despite the legal disputes.

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Police Tactics and Crowd‑Control Measures

• Non‑lethal Arsenal
• Tear‑gas canisters: Deployed twice (19:45, 20:35) to disperse dense crowds.
• Water cannons: Utilised at 20:20 on a barricade breach near Via Po.

• Protective Gear
• Full‑body ballistic vests and reinforced helmets for officers in frontline positions.

• Command Structure
• Incident commanded by a senior Carabinieri officer, with real‑time coordination via the municipal Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).

• Medical Response
• On‑site first‑aid stations staffed by the Carabinieri Health Service; injured officers transferred to Ospedale Mauriziano for further evaluation.

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Impact on the Local Community

• Disruption of Public Services
• Several tram lines (A and B) rerouted; temporary closure of nearby markets caused minor economic loss.
• Public Sentiment
• A rapid poll conducted by La Stampa (24 h after the event) showed 57 % of Turin residents sympathized with the protesters, while 38 % supported the eviction for safety reasons.
• Legal After‑effects
• Ongoing investigations into alleged police misconduct; the Italian National Anti‑Corruption Authority (ANAC) announced a review of the use of force protocols.

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Lessons Learned & Practical Tips for Future Demonstrations

1. Clear Interaction Channels

• Organizers should establish a liaison team to coordinate with municipal authorities, reducing the risk of unexpected escalations.

2. Crowd‑Management Planning

• Mapping safe assembly points and alternative routes can prevent bottlenecks that often trigger confrontations.

3. Legal Preparedness

• Engaging legal counsel ahead of time ensures protests stay within the bounds of the law, protecting participants from potential arrests.

4. Medical Preparedness

• On‑site first‑aid volunteers equipped with basic trauma kits can mitigate injuries before emergency services arrive.

5. documentation

• Real‑time video recording (with consent) provides transparent evidence for both protesters and police, useful in post‑event investigations.

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Comparative Cases: Similar Evictions in Italy (2023‑2025)

Year	city	Occupied Site	Reason for Eviction	Police Injuries
2023	Milan	“Casa Libera” squat	Building code violations	4 officers
2024	Naples	“Spazio Aperto” community hub	Illegal electricity connections	2 officers
2025	Bologna	“Collectivo Autonomo” residence	Fire safety non‑compliance	1 officer

Pattern observed: Evictions of autonomous spaces frequently enough trigger large‑scale mobilizations, with police injuries ranging from 1‑5 officers on average. The Turin incident is the moast severe in terms of officer injuries (9) due to the unprecedented protest size.

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Follow‑Up Actions & Ongoing developments

• Judicial Review
• the Appeals Court (Corte d’Appello di Torino) scheduled a hearing for March 2026 to reassess the eviction order and potential compensation for former occupants.

• Police Accountability
• The Ministry of the Interior has opened a disciplinary file on the use of tear‑gas and water‑cannon tactics during the operation.

• Community Re‑occupation Plans
• Former Askatasuna members announced a new “cultural hub” project in the outskirts of Turin, aiming to comply with building regulations while preserving the original mission.

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