Italian police arrested several demonstrators and used water cannon and tear gas after protests turned violent on Saturday in Milan, one of the host cities for the 2026 Winter Olympics. The demonstrations coincided with the first full day of Olympic events and drew thousands of people to the streets to voice concerns over rising housing costs, the environmental impact of the Games, and broader social and economic grievances tied to city development.
Most of the rally remained peaceful, with families, students, and activist groups carrying banners and signs calling the Games “unsustainable” both economically and environmentally. However, a smaller faction of around 100 protesters broke away from the main march and clashed with police officers. Some threw firecrackers, smoke bombs, bottles, and flares at riot-equipped officers, prompting authorities to respond with water cannon and tear gas to disperse the violent demonstrators. Six individuals were arrested during the confrontations, which took place near the Santagiulia Olympic ice hockey venue and close to the Olympic Village where athletes and officials are staying.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the violence, describing anti-Olympic agitators as “enemies of Italy” and praising law enforcement for maintaining security during the international event. Authorities also emphasized that security measures had been reinforced in the run-up to the Olympics, including expanded police powers to detain individuals suspected of planning disruptive actions.
Separately, some damage to railway infrastructure near Bologna disrupted train services, although it remains unclear if these incidents were directly linked to the Milan protests. The demonstrations were organized by grassroots unions, housing rights groups, and environmental activists, who argue that hosting the Winter Olympics has exacerbated social and economic inequalities in Milan. These protests follow similar unrest in Turin, where clashes between police and demonstrators previously resulted in multiple arrests and injuries, prompting authorities to implement additional security measures.
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