I saw some some people with Italian flag colors painted on their cheek. Anyone know any possible explanations (details below)

This was on the Metro from Metro Center on the red line headed to Shady Grove. Obviously a little crowded because it's Valentine's Day but anyways this is what I saw. I saw 2 people who seemed like strangers with green, white, and red face paint in the shape of a flag on their cheek. At the end of the car I saw someone with a stick and a printed page with what looked like the Italian Flag. Another person had an actual Italian flag and a printed photo of someone who looks like a government official. All these people didn't seem to be together and I heard a couple in a language I could only guess was Italian. I tried searching if there was a protest or something at the capitol but i found nothing. Also someone's phone feed had videos of a crowd gathering with predominately Italian flag colors.

I should've asked them but I don't usually talk to strangers. Anyone have any idea?