Violent Clashes Mar Opening Day of Milan Winter Olympics
Six people have been arrested following violent confrontations between riot police and protesters on the first day of the Winter Olympics in Milan. Thousands gathered on Saturday to demonstrate against a range of issues, including the soaring cost of living and environmental impacts linked to the games. The protests, which began peacefully, quickly escalated when a breakaway group of approximately 100 individuals started hurling firecrackers, smoke bombs, and bottles at law enforcement officers in an attempt to access a highway near the Olympic venue.
Police Response and Arrests
In response to the aggression, police deployed water cannons and tear gas to restore order before making arrests. Authorities successfully held off the violent demonstrators, who appeared to be targeting the Santagiulia Olympic ice hockey rink. By this time, the larger peaceful protest, which included families with young children and students, had already dispersed. Protest organiser Alberto di Monte told AFP that the Games were promoted as sustainable and cost-neutral, but criticised the billions spent on roads across multiple sites instead of protecting mountain environments.
Symbolic Protests and Sabotage Attacks
During the demonstration, participants carried cardboard cutouts representing trees felled to construct a new bobsled run in Cortina. Banners by groups like the Unsustainable Olympic Committee read slogans such as 'Let's take back the cities and free the mountains.' Homemade signs condemned the Games with messages like 'Get out of the Games: Genocide States, Fascist Police and Polluting Sponsors,' referencing fossil fuel companies sponsoring the event. In a separate incident, anti-Olympic protesters carried out three coordinated attacks on Italy's national rail network, forcing the temporary closure of state-owned Ferrovie dello Stato after a fire damaged infrastructure between Bologna and Venice, causing delays of up to two and a half hours for various train services.
Government Reactions and Security Measures
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni labelled the protesters as 'enemies of Italy,' praising the efforts of volunteers while condemning the violence. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini described those involved in the Milan clashes as 'criminals,' highlighting recent government actions to tighten protest laws following injuries to over 100 officers during demonstrations in Turin last week. Shocking footage from those protests showed a police officer being beaten with a hammer, leading Meloni to denounce the act as attempted murder. The Transport Ministry asserted that these incidents do not tarnish Italy's global image, emphasising the positive impact of the Games.
Background and Ongoing Tensions
Milan, co-hosting the Winter Olympics with Cortina d'Ampezzo until February 22, has seen heightened tensions due to the protests. The events underscore ongoing debates over sustainability and public spending, with authorities vowing to maintain security amidst the disruptions.
