Thousands in Italy protest "lack of freedom" due to COVID-19 restrictions

Thousands of protesters from all over Italy gathered in Rome on Saturday, Jan. 15 to denounce restrictions to their freedom after the Italian government tightened COVID-19 restrictions as the contagious Omicron variant rips through the country.

"We are all here to try to claim our rights and dignity as human beings," a protester from Forte dei Marmi, Elisa Galleni, said. "The coronavirus is artificial, we know that by now," protester Roberta Buratti added.

Last week the government led by Prime Minister Mario Draghi tightened restrictions making COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for everyone aged 50 and older and introduced the Super Green Pass, a health pass to enter almost all public places and public transport.

Italy reported 180,426 COVID-19 related cases on Saturday, after 186,253 the day before, the health ministry said, while the number of deaths fell to 308 from 360.