Anti-migration initiative sparks protests in Rome

Tens of thousands of people march through the streets of Rome in rival anti-

and pro- migration demonstrations after a citizens' initiative seeking sweeping

measures against migrants garnered enough support to be brought to the

Italian Parliament.

Italian flags waving as thousands march along the streets of Rome.

Several hold up a large banner reading "Reimagination and Reconquest,"

the name of a right-wing group that has gathered the required 50,000 signatures needed to trigger parliamentary discussion to push forth an anti-migration initiative.

 The proposal calls for sweeping measures targeting foreigners, including coercive returns, incentives to leave Italy and broader policies critics say could extend to legal residents.

Those supporting the agenda marched in the thousands, singing the national anthem, with some reportedly seen raising their arms in fascist salute.

One anti-migration supporter says people no longer feel safe, and his support

for the movement is to bring the state's attention to the need for a

policy to implement a "genuine repatriation of people who shouldn't

be in Italy because they are criminals" who don't "pay taxes," and

are a "burden" on the system.

In another part of the Italian capital, a rival pro-migration demonstration

also drew a significant turnout of various left-wing groups and trade

unions, with some yelling profanities against remigration and others

waving Palestinian flags.

Thousands of police were deployed to ensure the two rival groups

would remain apart.

Critics, including opposition parties and legal experts, argue the proposal

would violate constitutional and international anti-discrimination principles

by targeting people based on ethnic background, including naturalised

citizens and their descendants.

The controversy comes even as the government pursues a parallel policy

of expanding legal migration, having approved a multi-year plan to

admit hundreds of thousands of non-EU workers to address labour

shortages in key economic sectors.