TENS of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in seven Italian cities on Saturday calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East, Ukraine and all global conflicts.

Peaceful rallies were held in Rome, Turin, Milan, Florence, Bari, Palermo and Cagliari, with the support of hundreds of groups and associations committed to peace, disarmament and human rights.

The marches came in response to escalating violence in the Middle East and growing conflicts worldwide. Protesters denounced the diminished role of the United Nations on the global scene.

In Rome, thousands of demonstrators marched waving a giant rainbow flag in front of the Colosseum and a banner with the slogan: “Let’s stop wars. The time for peace is now!”

Daniela Ferraci, a demonstrator in Rome, said: “The war in Ukraine has been going on for years now and what was the result? Nothing. There are only a lot of Ukrainian and Russian people who died, many soldiers and many children. 

“The same is happening in Gaza, in Israel, in Lebanon.”

Giulio Marcon, one of the organisers of the Rome rally, said: “We must choose the path of negotiation, ceasefire and diplomacy.” 

Maurizio Landini, leader of Italy’s CGIL trade union, told the Rome rally: “Our strongest request is a ceasefire to allow governments to start a real peace conference, because the new world’s balance can’t be decided by wars.”