Milan, Italy – The opening of the Winter Olympics has been met with a wave of protests, not solely focused on athletic competition but also encompassing broader political and social concerns. Demonstrations have centered on the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents providing security support, as well as anxieties surrounding the economic impact of the Games on the city of Milan.
Security measures have been significantly heightened in anticipation of the Games, with Italian inter-force police teams tightening controls ahead of opening ceremony. A network of Joint Police Operations Centers has been established to manage security for the international event, according to reports. However, this increased security presence hasn’t deterred protesters from voicing their opposition.
The deployment of ICE agents has drawn particularly strong criticism. Hundreds gathered in Piazza XXV Aprile, a square commemorating Italy’s liberation from Nazi fascism in , to protest what they perceive as a concerning trend of “creeping fascism” in the United States. Demonstrators, representing a diverse coalition including members of the left-leaning Democratic Party, the CGIL trade union confederation, and organizations dedicated to preserving the memory of Italy’s partisan resistance, expressed outrage over the agents’ involvement, even though their role is limited to a control room and not direct street operations.
Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala has publicly stated that the ICE agents are “not welcome,” a sentiment echoed by many protesters. The Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi has been compelled to address Parliament regarding the deployment, highlighting the depth of concern within the Italian government.
Protestors carried signs with slogans such as “No thank you, from Minnesota to the world, at the side of anyone who fights for human rights,” and “Never again means never again for anyone.” A more lighthearted, yet pointed, message appeared on another banner: “Ice only in Spritz,” referencing the popular Italian aperitif.
Beyond the ICE issue, concerns about the economic consequences of hosting the Olympics are also fueling discontent. Jessica Todaro, a unionist from the CUB (Confererazione Unitaria di Base), explained that while her union generally supports the Olympics as a means of promoting peace, she is protesting what she views as mismanagement by organizers and the exploitation of hotel workers. “These Winter Olympics have been turned into a money-making machine – it is an Olympics of millionaires,” Todaro stated. She pointed to rising hotel rates without corresponding wage increases for workers as evidence of the Games exacerbating existing economic inequalities.
Todaro emphasized that the issue isn’t necessarily opposition to the Olympics themselves, but rather how they are managed. “The Olympics must be managed in a way that gives back to the city we’re in,” she said. “We think it hasn’t been managed well because it’s only worsened a problem that was already there. It is a very luxurious event, very pricey event, all the luxurious hotels have been earning lots and lots of money. The poor people working there are still poor.”
The protests also saw the involvement of pro-Palestine activists, who raised flags and chanted slogans in both Italian and English. Some protesters questioned Israel’s participation in the Games, particularly in light of the restrictions placed on Russian athletes due to the conflict in Ukraine. Others objected to the sponsorship of the Games by companies with ties to Israel.
Symbols of past political movements were also visible, including banners bearing the hammer and sickle, representing the Communist Restoration Party. The protest continued for several hours, stretching from the afternoon until dark, culminating in clashes with police who were equipped with riot gear and backed by the Carabinieri, Italy’s military police. Reports indicate that fireworks and tear gas were deployed during the evening confrontation.
Organizers have indicated that further protests are planned, including a demonstration in Verona on the final day of the Games. Reports surfaced of sabotage impacting rail travel to the Olympics on , with Italian police investigating three separate incidents.
The Winter Olympic Games will be broadcast on the 9Network, 9Now and Stan Sport.
