Young people were protesting against Turin Mayor Chiara Appendino's ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol outside bars and restaurants in the city's central nightlife district between 8:00 pm and 6:00 am.
Appendino’s decision to introduce the new law, which will remain in place until the end of September, follows a stampede among Juventus fans watching the Champions League final against Real Madrid on June 3, which left 1500 injured and one woman dead.
The local anarchist Askatasuna community centre and squat organised the protest, while some 50 police were deployed in Piazza Santa Giulia, where the police presence had already been contested at the end of last week.
Clashes broke out and four police officers were injured, one of them hit in the face with a bottle, while the others sustained minor injuries.
Two protesters were arrested.
Customers at bars and restaurants fled or hid inside until the chaos came to an end at around 11:00 pm.
The square was left littered with upturned chairs and tables as well as broken bottles.
"There should never again be such clashes, the city's open spaces are for all," Appendino said late on Wednesday.
With ANSA
