Anti-war protests in Italy and Spain as high-stakes referendum on Italian judges looms

ROME (AP) — Thousands of people protested Saturday against wars in the Middle East and judicial reforms proposed by Italy’s conservative government — linking international tensions with a growing domestic political battle before a national referendum.

The March 22–23 referendum on changes to the judicial system has become a major political test for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government, which faces an election next year. The debate over legal reforms has escalated into a broader confrontation between the prime minister and her political opponents.

In central Rome, protesters waving red trade union banners and Palestinian and Cuban flags chanted “Meloni government, resign” before the rally ended peacefully.

“The United States and Israel are destroying any form of coexistence dictated by international law,” demonstrator Sandra Paganini said.

“They are dragging us towards a world war in which they are targeting completely innocent people who have done nothing wrong, intervening and destroying nations,” she said.

Meloni said that the reforms are needed to tackle chronic delays in Italy’s courts and restore public confidence in the legal system. But opponents argue that the changes could weaken judicial independence and make judges subject to political influence.

The referendum has increasingly taken on the character of a political test for the prime minister. Meloni joined the campaign directly this week.

“If justice doesn’t work, if it’s slow, if it’s inefficient, if it’s unfair, then the whole machine gets stuck and everyone pays the consequences,” Meloni said at a campaign speech in Milan on Thursday.

Anti-war protests have surged since the launch on Feb. 28 of large-scale U.S. and Israeli air attacks on Iran targeting military sites and senior leaders, and triggering retaliatory strikes that have shaken global markets.

Demonstrations also took place across Spain on Saturday, where rallies were organized in dozens of cities by a coalition of civic groups calling for an end to the conflict in the Middle East. In Madrid, thousands chanted slogans against the war and expressed solidarity with civilians affected by the conflict.

Additional protests took place earlier this week in Athens and other cities across Greece.

Derek Gatopoulos reported from Athens, Greece.

Protesters hold an Iranian flag as they take part in a national demonstration against the war in Iran and the March 22 referendum on the Italian justice system, in Rome, Saturday, March 14 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

People take part in a national demonstration against the war in Iran and the March 22 referendum on the Italian justice system, in Rome, Saturday, March 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

People take part in a national demonstration against the war in Iran and the March 22 referendum on the Italian justice system, in Rome, Saturday, March 14 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

People hold banners reading 'No to war' as they take part in a national demonstration against the war in Iran and the March 22 referendum on the Italian justice system, in Rome, Saturday, March 14 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

People take part in a national demonstration against the war in Iran and the March 22 referendum on the Italian justice system, in Rome, Saturday, March 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Quentin Grimes scored a season-high 28 points and the Philadelphia 76ers held on for a 104-97 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday in a game they led by as many as 28.

Grimes shot 10 for 22 and had eight rebounds for the short-handed 76ers, who were missing Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre Jr., among others. Justin Edwards scored 19 points while adding three steals.

Danny Wolf had 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Nets, who were without leading scorer Michael Porter Jr. (ankle) and lost their third straight game. Josh Minott added 14 points.

The 76ers entered halftime up 53-31, but the Nets came back in the second half, taking the lead in the fourth quarter. Adem Bona’s free throw with 3:02 left gave Philadelphia the lead for good at 88-87.

The Sixers shot 10.3 percentage points better from the field (46.3%) than the Nets (36.0%).

Sixers: Host the Trail Blazers on Sunday.

Nets: Host the Trail Blazers on Monday to begin a three-game homestand.

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Philadelphia 76ers' Quentin Grimes dunks during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets, Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Brooklyn Nets' Danny Wolf (2) tries to get past Philadelphia 76ers' Adem Bona during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Brooklyn Nets' Danny Wolf, center, shoots between Philadelphia 76ers' Adem Bona, left, and Cameron Payne (20) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Brooklyn Nets' Danny Wolf, right, goes up to shoot against Philadelphia 76ers' Justin Edwards during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia 76ers' Quentin Grimes (5) shotos between Brooklyn Nets' Ziaire Williams, and Terance Mann (14) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)