Milan: In a dramatic expression of dissent against the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, a faction of hooded demonstrators clashed with police in central Milan on Saturday, hurling flares and small fireworks before riot units drove them back with water cannon.
The violence broke out when about 100 masked activists peeled off from a larger, largely peaceful march and targeted law enforcement officers stationed to protect Olympic venues and secure city thoroughfares. Video footage and eyewitness accounts showed bright flares arc into the night sky, followed by lines of police advancing with powerful jets of water to disperse the group and clear the streets.
The clashes came on the first full day of the Milano-Cortina Winter Games, which officially opened Friday with festivities in Milan and Cortina dâAmpezzo celebrating Italyâs cultural heritage and global athleticism.
While the opening ceremony brought spectacle and international attention, the streets of Milan told a parallel story of civic unease. Organized by a coalition of grassroots unions, housing rights groups and environmental activists, thousands of protesters marched through the city earlier on Saturday, denouncing the socio-economic and environmental impact of hosting the Games. They argued that the event has exacerbated Milanâs housing costs and deepened inequality, while damaging fragile mountain ecosystems in the Dolomites.
The protest movement in Milan has drawn from a broad base of grievances. Apart from concerns about urban affordability and ecological impact, other demonstrations in the days leading up to the Games have focused on political issues, including the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents reportedly supporting security for visiting American officials a decision that has angered students and civil liberties advocates.
The spectre of ICE involvement intensified a student-led rally on Friday, where participants carried banners reading âICE outâ and criticized what they see as foreign policing on Italian soil. Central Milan schools remained closed and key areas were restricted by authorities to manage security around events, adding to local frustration.
The protests have not been limited to economic and policing concerns. On the eve of the Gamesâ opening, small pro-Palestinian groups waved flags and raised political demands at gatherings tied to the Olympic torchâs arrival, while environmental NGOs such as Greenpeace staged symbolic demonstrations against corporate sponsorships linked to fossil fuel interests.
Despite these varied motivations, Saturdayâs main demonstration remained largely peaceful until the moment the hooded breakaway group engaged authorities. Organizers of the larger march emphasized non-violence, urging participants to express dissent without endangering public safety.
Italian security forces, operating under a comprehensive Olympic security plan designed to protect athletes, officials and spectators alike, responded swiftly to quell disruptions. The deployment of water cannon and a visible police presence underscores authoritiesâ effort to prevent disorder from overshadowing the international spectacle.
Local residents and business owners described a city of contrasts Olympic cheer interspersed with signs of civic tension as Milan balances hosting one of the worldâs biggest sporting events with managing genuine citizen grievances.
As the Winter Games continue through Feb. 22, Milan remains a focal point not only for athletic competition but also for public debate and protest over the social costs of global mega-events.