Thousands of people filled the streets of Milan on Saturday as large-scale protests erupted against the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, with demonstrators denouncing the Games’ environmental, economic, and social impacts, as well as the presence of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and Israel’s participation. Organizers estimated that around 10,000 people joined the march, making it one of the most significant public mobilizations since the Winter Games began.
The demonstration was organized by the union and activist network Comitato Insostenibili Olimpiadi, or Unsustainable Olympics Committee. The coalition described the action as “a popular gathering of social opposition, bringing together grassroots and community sports organizations, civic and environmental movements, territorial committees and student collectives.” Organizers said the protest brought together groups fighting for housing rights, militant trade unions, solidarity movements supporting Palestinians, and the Global Sumud Flotilla, the seaborne campaign aimed at breaking Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
Environmental destruction linked to Olympic construction featured prominently throughout the march. At the front of the procession, around 50 protesters carried cardboard cutouts shaped like trees, representing larches they said were felled to make way for a new bobsleigh track in Cortina d’Ampezzo. The group held a banner that read, “Century-old trees, survivors of two wars, sacrificed for 90 seconds of competition on a bobsleigh track costing €124 million.”
Stefano Nutini, a 71-year-old demonstrator, told Reuters, “I’m here because these Olympics are unsustainable, economically, socially, and environmentally.”
Concerns over public spending were repeatedly raised by demonstrators, many of whom said Olympic investments had come at the expense of essential services. One healthcare worker attending the protest told Euronews, “It’s public money that has been spent on a display window. It may be interesting to have these showcase events, but at a time when there is not enough money for essential things, it makes no sense to spend it in this way.”
Another demonstrator said the Olympics “have not brought any wealth to the city of Milan and Lombardy.” He added, “They have taken money away from social welfare, public schools, and healthcare. This money has literally been burned, and not a single lira will go to Italian citizens, particularly those in Lombardy, so these are bogus Olympics.”
Protesters also condemned Italy’s expanding security measures and immigration policies. Demonstrators denounced Decree Law 1660, which allows police to detain individuals preemptively for up to 12 hours if authorities believe they may act disruptively. Organizers described the law as emblematic of what they called “state racism against migrants and racialized people, and transfeminist anger against social and institutional patriarchy.”
Opposition to immigration enforcement was highly visible throughout the march. Numerous demonstrators carried signs reading “ICE Out,” protesting the presence of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents deployed to provide security support for American athletes and officials during the Games. ICE has been central to the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in the United States. Hundreds of protesters had already rallied against ICE in Milan on Friday, one day before the larger march.
The protests coincided with a visit by United States Vice President JD Vance, who was in Milan as head of the US Olympic delegation. Vance was loudly booed during Friday’s opening ceremony at San Siro stadium. Israel’s delegation received a similar response, with jeers heard as the country’s athletes entered the stadium, though the reaction was quickly drowned out by music and crowd noise. Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, were also met with boos when they appeared on the stadium’s big screen.
While Saturday’s demonstration was largely peaceful, tensions escalated later in the day. A small breakaway group reportedly set off smoke bombs and firecrackers near Olympic venues. Police responded with water cannons, chemical agents, and baton charges. According to il Manifesto, a young woman suffered a head injury and a young man sustained a broken arm during the clashes. The outlet reported that six people were arrested.
Authorities also reported incidents of infrastructure sabotage outside Milan. Railway infrastructure was allegedly targeted near Bologna in the Emilia-Romagna region and in Pesaro in the Marche region. Italy’s Transport Ministry said an investigation into suspected “terrorism” had been launched and warned that those responsible could face a multimillion-euro damages claim.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the protests and expressed support for law enforcement. In a statement posted on Facebook, Meloni praised the thousands of workers and volunteers involved in keeping the Games running, before turning her criticism toward the demonstrators. “Then there are those who are enemies of Italy and Italians,” she wrote. “The protesters demonstrate ‘against the Olympics,’ causing these images to end up on televisions around the world. After others cut the railway cables to prevent the trains from leaving.”
The International Olympic Committee also criticized the unrest. IOC spokesperson Mark Adams told reporters on Sunday that peaceful protest was legitimate, but said, “we draw a line at violence,” adding that such behavior “has no place at the Olympic Games.”
Despite official condemnations, organizers indicated that opposition to the Milano-Cortina Olympics would continue, with additional protests planned in Milan on Sunday as competition carried on under heightened security.
“I’m here because these Olympics are unsustainable, economically, socially, and environmentally,” Nutini told Reuters.
COMMENTS