In Milan, one of the two host cities of the Winter Olympics in Italy, a protest against this major sporting event took place, which turned into brief clashes between demonstrators and the police, the world agencies reported.
Towards the end of the demonstration, directed against the organization of the games in the Italian mountains, several dozen people with hoods on their heads began to throw stones and pirates at the police. Police then resorted to water cannons and tear gas to disperse the protesters. Several demonstrators were arrested
Police are on high alert after demonstrations in Turin last Saturday against the closure of a left-wing cultural center left more than 100 police officers injured.
Now, during the protest in Milan, demonstrators carried placards highlighting a series of issues related to the games. According to the protesters, the Games are environmentally and socially harmful and their final hour has come.
Opponents of the Olympics criticize the impact of infrastructure, new buildings and transport on the mountains’ fragile environment, as well as the widespread use of artificial snow, which absorbs more energy and water.
According to other critics of the games, Milan has become an unlivable city due to the sharp increase in the cost of living and the influx of new wealthy residents attracted by the favorable tax regime.
According to the protesters, this also reflected on real estate prices. The authorities have also spent billions of euros on building new roads, but not on protecting the mountains.
Demonstrators also criticized the authorities’ decision to cut down hundreds of trees to build a bobsleigh track. For this reason, some of the demonstrators also carried cardboard trees, which they placed on the ground.
Protesters also chanted against the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents tasked with guarding the U.S. delegation at the games.
Some of the protesters also carried Palestinian flags.
date:2026-02-07 21:00:00