Rome. A peaceful protest against the Winter Olympics in the northern Italian city of Milan turned into violent clashes. Thousands of people marched near the Olympic Village against environmental damage and socio-economic impacts, but after the crowd dispersed a small group threw stones and fireworks at police. Seeing the situation going out of control, the police had to use batons, water cannon and tear gas. According to the police, about 10,000 protesters took to the streets. People were seen singing and dancing holding placards, banners and posters in their hands.
The main center of the demonstration was the area around the Olympic Village, where tight security arrangements were made. By evening, when the largely peaceful crowd had returned, some unruly elements started spoiling the atmosphere. The protesters were particularly angry about the construction work taking place for the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics 2026. They allege that in the name of sports, huge damage is being caused to mountains, forests and natural resources. Banners bearing slogans such as “Take back the cities and liberate the mountains” were seen in people’s hands.
According to media reports, many protesters were carrying models of trees made of cardboard, which were said to symbolize the forests cut down for the new bobsleigh track in Cortina. The situation became more tense when some protesters reached near the Olympic Village. The police started throwing firecrackers and smoke bombs towards the barricades. The security cordon was so strong that these objects could not reach the athletes’ residence. After this the march moved towards Via Benaco. By the time they reached Piazzale Corvetto, a clash broke out between the police and the protesters.
There was an atmosphere of chaos in many areas and people were seen running to safe places. There are reports of police vans also being targeted. This demonstration took place at the same time when US Vice President JD Vance was on a visit to Milan. He attended the Olympic opening ceremony as the head of the US delegation. He also had to face booing from some people at the grand opening ceremony held at San Siro Stadium on Friday. His presence during the demonstration further increased the concern of the security agencies.
Italian PM Georgia Meloni posted while writing that the protesters are enemies of Italy and Italians. He expressed solidarity with the police and the city of Milan, saying that such criminal gangs cannot be allowed to ruin the work of working people. This demonstration was organized by an organization called Unsustainable Olympics Committee. It was attended by environmental groups, students, sports organizations, housing activists, unions, pro-Palestine networks and transfeminist groups. These organizations allege that the Olympics are not only harming the environment but also imposing economic and social burden on the common people. They are also protesting against the government’s security policies and attitude towards minorities.
Let us tell you that the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics 2026 started on Friday. A grand glimpse of Italy’s art and culture was seen at the inauguration ceremony. Famous tenor Andrea Bocelli and American singer Mariah Carey performed in it, but this anger on the streets amid the glamor of the Games clearly indicates that the fire of protest in Italy regarding the Olympics is not going to subside yet.
