Italian riot police pushed back about 300 protesters opposed to the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline in Salento, as workers began to remove dozens of trees in the pipeline’s path on Tuesday, March 28.

The Trans-Adriatic Pipeline is being built to deliver natural gas from Azerbaijan to Italy. Several regional politicians, including mayors and city council members, were part of the protest. Puglia Governor Michele Emiliano said the region would appeal the Environment Ministry’s decision to green light the project, saying “the government is using the police to solve a political issue.”