Italy: Pro-Kurdish demonstrations in Florence on April 7

Event

Security officials expect approximately 500 pro-Kurdish demonstrators to rally in Florence beginning at 15:30 (local time) on Saturday, April 7. Demonstrators are reportedly planning to gather in front of the US Consulate on Lungarno Amerigo Vespucci, the French Consulate on Piazza Ognisanti, the German Consulate on Corso dei Tintori, and the Russian Consulate on Via de' Guicciardini. Although the event is expected to remain peaceful, a heightened security presence and transportation disruptions are expected in the vicinity of the gathering.

Context

Members of the Kurdish community are holding demonstrations to protest an ongoing Turkish military operation in Syria, launched on January 21. That operation is targeting the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in the Afrin region of Syria.

Advice

Individuals in Florence are advised to avoid any demonstrations as a precaution, to anticipate transportation disruptions, and to report any suspicious behavior or objects to the police.