Protests broke out in northern Italy following the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games, as demonstrators raised concerns over environmental sustainability and rising living costs. Police used water cannon after a small group fired flares and threw stones, following an otherwise peaceful march.
Authorities had increased security after earlier clashes in Turin left more than 100 officers injured. Demonstrators criticised the Games’ infrastructure projects, artificial snow production and housing affordability in Milan, one of Italy’s main economic hubs.
Protester Francesca Missana argued the Games are no longer environmentally or socially sustainable. March organiser Alberto di Monte said infrastructure spending prioritised road construction across the Alps over environmental protection.
Key developments:
• Protesters condemned the use of energy- and water-intensive artificial snow
• Activists opposed tree felling for the Milan-Cortina bobsleigh track
• Critics linked the Games to housing pressures caused by rising property costs
• Some demonstrators also objected to reported involvement of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel supporting delegation security
Follow on social media TikTok@tut0ughInstagram@tut0ugh Threads@tut0ugh X@tut0ugh YouTube@tut0ugh
tut0ugh 