300 residents camp on Rome streets as authorities crack down on squatted buildings

Around 300 people have set up a makeshift camp on the streets of Rome after municipal authorities intensified a crackdown on illegal squats across the city. The encampment, which began early Monday morning near the historic Trastevere district, was organized by residents who had been evicted from several abandoned buildings that the city had slated for demolition or redevelopment. Police and municipal workers arrived to enforce the evictions, citing safety violations and the need to restore order, prompting the displaced occupants to seek temporary shelter in public spaces.

City officials said the operation targets structures that lack proper permits and pose fire hazards, and they have warned that further illegal occupations will be met with immediate removal. Human‑rights groups, however, have called for a more humane approach, urging the administration to provide alternative housing and to engage in dialogue with the squatters. The protest underscores growing tensions in Rome over the shortage of affordable housing and the city’s efforts to address the proliferation of unauthorized dwellings.