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Italian police clashed with protesters near a Winter Olympics venue in Milan on Saturday, firing tear gas and water cannon as tensions escalated during demonstrations against the Games’ environmental impact and U.S. security presence.
The confrontation occurred after a largely peaceful march involving thousands of demonstrators concluded. A smaller group of protesters threw firecrackers and attempted to access a highway near the Santagiulia Olympic ice hockey arena, prompting police intervention.
Earlier in the day, masked protesters had set off smoke bombs and firecrackers on a bridge overlooking a construction site approximately 800 meters from the Olympic Village, which currently houses around 1,500 athletes. Police maintained a strong presence throughout the protest route, with vans positioned behind temporary metal barriers to secure access to Olympic facilities.
Officials reported that approximately 10,000 people participated in the main demonstration, which featured a diverse crowd including families with children and students. The protest coincided with U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Milan as head of the American delegation that attended Friday’s opening ceremony. Vance and his family visited Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” in central Milan, well away from the demonstration area.
Many protesters expressed concerns about the environmental consequences of Olympic construction projects. Demonstrators carried cardboard cutouts representing trees felled to build the new bobsled run in Cortina d’Ampezzo, one of the Games’ mountain venues. A group calling itself the “Unsustainable Olympic Committee” displayed banners with messages including “Let’s take back the cities and free the mountains.”
“They bypassed the laws that usually are needed for major infrastructure projects, citing urgency for the Games,” explained protester Guido Maffioli, who voiced concerns that the private entity organizing the Olympics might eventually transfer debt to Italian taxpayers.
The demonstration also targeted the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Italy during the Games. Despite official statements clarifying that only a small number of agents from the Homeland Security Investigations unit—which focuses on cross-border crimes rather than immigration enforcement—would be present on U.S. diplomatic territory, protesters remained opposed to their deployment.
U.S. Homeland Security Investigations frequently sends officers to major international events like the Olympics to assist with security operations. Officials have emphasized that these agents would not be operational on Italian streets and that there is no indication that officers from ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, the arm responsible for immigration crackdowns in the United States, have been deployed to Italy.
Saturday’s protest followed a similar demonstration the previous week when hundreds gathered to oppose the presence of ICE agents. The latest march also featured criticism of Olympic corporate sponsors, particularly fossil fuel companies, with protesters carrying signs reading “Get out of the Games: Genocide States, Fascist Police and Polluting Sponsors.”
Despite the tense moments and brief confrontation between police and a segment of protesters, authorities reported that the disturbances did not disrupt the transportation of athletes to their events, which are taking place on the outskirts of Milan. The majority of Olympic competitions continue as scheduled, with security forces maintaining heightened vigilance throughout the Games’ venues and surrounding areas.
As the Winter Olympics progress, organizers face the dual challenge of ensuring smooth operations while addressing the concerns raised by local communities regarding the Games’ long-term impact on the region.
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16 Comments
Tear gas and water cannons against protesters is a concerning escalation. The authorities should exercise restraint and look for ways to de-escalate the situation through dialogue and negotiation.
Clashes between police and protesters near Olympic venues are concerning. While peaceful protest is a right, the authorities need to ensure safety and security for the athletes and spectators.
Agreed, the priority should be maintaining public order without excessive use of force. Both sides need to show restraint and find constructive ways to address the issues.
While the environmental impact of hosting the Olympics is a valid concern, these events can also bring significant economic and cultural benefits to the host city. Organizers should work to strike a balance and minimize the carbon footprint.
Agreed, it’s about finding the right balance. Hopefully the organizers can engage with protesters in good faith and find ways to address their concerns while still realizing the broader benefits of hosting the games.
The presence of the US Vice President at the opening ceremony adds an extra layer of political tension. These events can sometimes become caught up in broader geopolitical dynamics beyond just the sports.
That’s a good observation. The Olympics should really be about the athletes and the spirit of competition, not political posturing. Hopefully the organizers can find ways to keep the focus where it should be.
The presence of the US Vice President at the opening ceremony likely added to the political tensions surrounding the Olympics. These events can sometimes become a stage for broader geopolitical issues.
That’s a good point. Major international sporting events often get caught up in larger political dynamics, which can complicate the focus on the athletic competition itself.
The protest’s focus on the environmental impact of the Olympics is understandable, given the resource-intensive nature of hosting such large-scale events. Hopefully the organizers can find ways to mitigate the carbon footprint.
Clashes between police and protesters near Olympic venues are concerning, but the priority should be maintaining public safety and security. Both sides need to show restraint and find constructive ways to address the issues.
Protests against the environmental impact of hosting the Olympics are understandable, given the resource-intensive nature of these events. Organizers need to prioritize sustainability and work with activists to find solutions.
Interesting to see protesters voicing their concerns about the environmental impact of the Winter Olympics. These large-scale events often come with significant environmental costs that deserve scrutiny.
I understand the protesters’ perspective, but it’s important to balance environmental impact with the cultural and economic benefits that major events can bring to a host city.
It’s unfortunate to see the Olympics marred by such clashes. These events should be about bringing people together in the spirit of friendly competition, not political confrontation.
I agree, the Olympics should remain a space for athletic achievement and cultural exchange, not a platform for political agendas. Hopefully the organizers can find ways to address protesters’ concerns constructively.