Thousands March in Florence as Italy Joins Pro-Palestinian Strike

Florence saw thousands of demonstrators take to the streets today, October 3, 2025, in support of Palestine and the Global Sumud Flotilla, coinciding with the nationwide general strike called by the USB and CGIL unions.

The march began in the morning near the Fortezza da Basso, led by a massive Palestinian flag and a banner reading “Stop Zionism with resistance.” Participants included grassroots unions, high school and university students, associations, movements, and delegations from CGIL. Chanting “Free Palestine” and “Stop genocide,” the procession moved along viale Lavagnini toward Campo di Marte, blocking traffic on the main boulevards and halting tram service toward San Marco.

The route passed through piazza della Libertà, viale Don Minzoni, the Cure overpass, and viale dei Mille, before reaching its final destination at the Franchi Stadium’s Maratona entrance.

Florence was not the only Tuscan city to witness protests. In Pisa, students occupied the Scuola Normale Superiore during the night, after earlier actions at the Faculty of Letters and the Rector’s offices of the University of Pisa. The occupiers declared that no institution of learning should remain silent in the face of what they called genocide, criticizing the school’s collaborations with Israeli universities.

In Livorno, protesters blocked all commercial traffic into and out of the city’s northern port area from the early morning hours. Demonstrators set up barricades and lit fires at the Zara gate entrance, leaving long lines of trucks and heavy vehicles stranded between Ponte Genova and via Leonardo da Vinci. The blockade also affected passenger access to ferries, causing frustration among drivers and commuters.

The coordinated demonstrations across Tuscany reflected a broader day of mobilization throughout Italy, combining labor union demands with solidarity actions for Gaza.

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