Italian interior minister calls violence against minors at pro-Palestinian demo ‘a defeat’

By COLLEEN BARRY
Associated Press

MILAN (AP) — Italy’s interior minister acknowledged as a “defeat” the use of police batons against high school students demonstrating in the Tuscan city of Pisa last week but warned lawmakers Thursday of growing violent tendencies among pro-Palestinian demonstrators. Italians have expressed outrage at police violence against two pro-Palestinian demonstrations in the Tuscan cities of Florence and Pisa last Friday; the one in Pisa included minor high school students, at least 11 of whom suffered bruises when police responded with batons.  Interior Minister Sergio Piantedosi told the lower house of parliament that in Pisa law enforcement reacted after demonstrators tried to beach a police barrier.