Demonstrations are taking place in cities across Italy to protest against the cost of living [News Channel Now] Demonstrations were held in many cities across Italy to protest against the cost of living and to demand that the authorities strengthen public services. In Rome, the capital, thousands of people responded to the call and marched in the city center to protest against the authorities increasing the security budget but not allocating resources to health and education. Local media reported that some protesters tried to go to the Italian Congress after dark, but police used water cannons to disperse them. In addition to Rome, people demonstrated Friday in dozens of cities including Genoa, Milan and Turin to protest the high cost of living and demand an end to the war in the Middle East. Among them, demonstrators in Turin clashed with riot police. The local news agencies reported that the clashes between the two sides continued until the evening. In addition to using water cannons to disperse the protesters, the police also fired tear gas at the protesters.