Iran Press/ Europe: Hundreds of restaurant owners in Italy, who have their businesses shut for weeks due to the virus lockdown, gathered in central Rome near Parliament on Monday evening to protest the COVID-19 virus lockdown.
Italian police called the protests illegal and unauthorized.
The restaurant owners wanted to demonstrate in front of the parliament, but police prevented them from approaching there and the prime minister's Palace.
Restaurant owners also rallied in front of the parliament last Wednesday, leading to violence and clashes with police, and several people were injured and arrested.
Some hurled smoke bombs while riot police tried to block protesters from reaching the Parliament building.
Dining and drinking at restaurants, bars and cafes are currently banned through at least April in most regions to control the spread of a new wave of coronavirus infections.
Only takeout or delivery services are permitted.
Italy's current and previous governments have allocated millions of euros in aid to categories particularly hard-hit by pandemic restrictions, but the business owners insist they need to re-open permanently.
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