Italian police deployed tear gas and water cannons on Saturday, February 7, after protests against the Milan Winter Olympics escalated near one of the games’ key venues.
The day began with a large, peaceful march through the city, where thousands of people gathered to express concerns about the environmental and social impact of hosting the Winter Games. Families with young children, students and activists walked together, holding signs, singing and chanting against what organizers described as the economic costs and environmental damage of building the Olympics.
However, the mood changed later in the evening when a smaller group of masked protesters broke away from the main crowd. Authorities said the group threw firecrackers and tried to get onto the highway near the Olympic ice rink in Santagiulia, prompting police to intervene.
Police set up barricades and used tear gas and water cannons to stop the protesters from advancing. The confrontation was brief and the police managed to hold the line. By that time, most of the larger peace march had already dispersed, leaving only a smaller group to clash.
Earlier, tensions rose after protesters set off smoke bombs and fireworks from a bridge overlooking the construction site, located about 800 meters from the Olympic Village. Around 1,500 athletes currently live in the village, so safety is a priority for officials.
Police vans and temporary metal fencing were placed along the roads leading to the athletes’ village, while a heavy police presence monitored the protest route as it moved towards the Santagiulia site.
Despite the disruption, there was no indication that the closures or unrest would affect the movement of athletes or the Olympic programme, the events being held on the outskirts of Milan.
The demonstration coincided with a visit by US Vice President JD Vance to Milan, where he led the US delegation at Friday’s opening ceremony. Protesters also emphasized opposition to the presence of American agents in Italy as part of their broader criticism.
The march was organized by the Unsustainable Olympic Committee, a coalition of local sports groups, environmental movements, civic activists, housing activists, unions, pro-Palestinian networks and transfeminist collectives.
The unrest comes as Italian authorities separately investigate a series of incidents along rail lines in northern Italy that officials fear may involve coordinated sabotage, raising further concerns during the high-profile international event.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
February 8, 2026
