Italian police said they prevented two groups of pro-Palestinian activists from disrupting the opening stages of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics torch relay in Rome on Saturday.
Authorities reported that one group of about 15 people was removed before reaching the relay route. A third group of around 10 activists, closely monitored by police, managed to wave Palestinian flags as the torch passed La Sapienza University, the city’s largest campus.
Separately, three demonstrators carried signs in support of Venezuela near the American embassy.
The protests come weeks after more than two million people marched across 100 Italian cities in October to denounce the war in Gaza.
Torch Relay Details
Olympic champion swimmer Gregorio Paltrinieri launched the relay at the Stadio dei Marmi, with the torch traveling 33 kilometers (20 miles) before concluding the day at Piazza del Popolo.
The relay will span 12,000 kilometers (7,500 miles), passing through all 110 Italian provinces before arriving at Milan’s San Siro Stadium for the opening ceremony on February 6. A total of 10,001 torchbearers will participate.
The next stops are Viterbo on Sunday and Terni on Monday.
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