Italian police have fired tear gas and water cannon at protesters who threw firecrackers, smoke bombs, and bottles near a Winter Olympics venue in Milan, leading to six arrests according to police sources. The incident occurred on Saturday, the first full day of the 2026 Winter Games, as a splinter group of about 100 demonstrators broke away from a larger protest and attempted to reach the Santagiulia Olympic ice hockey rink.
Violent Clashes Erupt Near Olympic Sites
Officers in riot gear confronted the protesters, some of whom wore hoods and scarves to conceal their faces, in a tense standoff that turned violent. The group also set off smoke bombs and firecrackers approximately half a mile from the Olympic Village, where around 1,500 athletes are currently staying. Police managed to bring the situation under control before the main demonstration concluded, as reported by the Italian news agency ANSA.
Massive Main Protest Highlights Broader Concerns
The primary demonstration saw an estimated 10,000 people taking to the streets of Milan to protest against the environmental, economic, and social impacts of the Olympics. Organised by grassroots unions, housing-rights groups, and social centre activists, the march focused on issues such as rising housing costs and the ecological damage caused by Olympic infrastructure projects.
Protesters carried cardboard cutouts of trees to symbolise the trees felled to construct the new bobsled run in Cortina, arguing that such developments have harmed mountain communities. One demonstrator criticised the bypassing of usual laws for major projects, citing urgency for the Games, and expressed concern that private organisers might eventually pass debt onto Italian taxpayers.
Additional Grievances and Security Measures
Some protesters also voiced opposition to the deployment of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to Italy for security purposes, with signs reading 'ICE out' and criticising the government. It is noted that US Homeland Security Investigations, an ICE unit focusing on cross-border crimes, often sends officers to international events like the Olympics, but there is no indication that immigration enforcement officers have been deployed.
The International Olympic Committee maintains that the Games largely utilise existing facilities to enhance sustainability, though this claim has been met with scepticism by activists. The protests underscore ongoing tensions between Olympic organisers and local communities over the long-term effects of hosting such large-scale events.
