Europe Covid-19 protest: Italy’s restaurant owners cry ’let us work’ as they clash with police

Italian restaurant owners and others angry at having their businesses shut for weeks due to a virus lockdown clashed with police on Tuesday during a protest outside Parliament in Rome. Protests also took part in southern Italy, where demonstrators blocked a major highway. One officer was injured in the scuffling, the Italian news agency LaPresse said. At least seven protesters were detained by police, according to RAI state TV. Many in the crowd of a few hundred protesters outside the Chamber of Deputies lowered their masks to shout ’Work!’ and ’Freedom!’. Some hurled smoke flares or other objects. Dining and drinking at restaurants, bars and cafes is currently banned through at least April. Only takeout or delivery services are permitted. Officers charged some protesters after they tried to breach a police cordon. Members of a far-right political group joined the business owners at the protest, according to the Italian news agency ANSA. Original Article: