Milan Olympics Protest: Clashes, Arrests & Demonstrations – Live Updates

After the opening ceremony that lit up San Siro and the Arco della Pace, Milan saw a large anti‑Olympic demonstration on 7 February 2026. The march, organized by the Comitato Insostenibili Olimpiadi (CIO), began at 15:00 and drew participants from Milan, the rest of Lombardy and northern Italy.

What unfolded on the streets

The route stretched for about four kilometres along Corso Lodi, turning onto Via Brembo – the closest point to the heavily guarded Olympic Village – before continuing through Via Benaco, Piazza Bonomelli, Via Mincio, Piazza Ferrara, Via Mompiani, Piazza Gabrio Rosa and Via Martini. While the procession passed near the Village, it did not enter any Olympic sites.

Organisers estimated fewer than 5 000 attendees; police counted roughly 5 000 protesters, many of whom were accompanied by foreign journalists covering the Games. The march featured dancing, music and about 500 cardboard trees symbolising the loss of over 200‑year‑old larch trees felled for the Cortina bob track.

Several groups joined the protest: social centres, student collectives, housing‑rights organisations, base‑level unions, extraparlamentary political movements and pro‑Palestinian activists. Their banners called for “reclaiming the cities, freeing the mountains,” condemned the “security law drift” of decree 1660, denounced state racism toward migrants and expressed transfeminist opposition to patriarchal structures.

Clashes and police response

Violent confrontations erupted in the Corvetto neighbourhood. Protesters launched fireworks and firecrackers at police vehicles, prompting the use of water cannons, tear‑gas and a police charge. Five demonstrators were arrested and taken to the Questura, while another five were detained after clashes near Via Marocchetti. By 19:32, about 500 protesters remained on Viale Brenta awaiting the release of the arrested participants.

Police also blocked access to the east‑bound ring road, preventing a group of masked and helmet‑clad demonstrators from reaching the highway. Throughout the evening, the police maintained a strong presence around the Olympic Village, which was secured by a substantial cordon.

Political reactions

Regional President Attilio Fontana condemned the “violent” actions, urging all Milanese political actors to denounce the disturbances. He highlighted that “normal Milan” filled the Arco della Pace area to admire the Olympic cauldron and related events.

Walter Montagnoli of the national Cub secretariat criticised the cost overruns, stating the Games had already exceeded 5–6 billion euros and that “the real accounts will reveal even greater spending on useless tunnels and disruptions.”

Did You Know? The protest’s main banner read “Riprendiamoci le città, liberiamo le montagne,” and the march deliberately skirted the Olympic Village without entering any competition venues.

Expert Insight: The scale of the demonstration and the intensity of the clashes underscore the deep social fissures surrounding the Milan‑Cortina Games. While the protest highlights legitimate concerns about environmental impact, housing rights and security legislation, the heavy police response may shape public perception of the Games’ safety protocols and could influence future civic engagement around large‑scale sporting events.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the main purpose of the protest?

Demonstrators opposed the organisation of the Milan‑Cortina 2026 Winter Games, citing environmental damage, housing‑rights issues, the presence of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Milan and concerns over the security law (decree 1660).

How many people took part in the march?

Organisers expected fewer than 5 000 participants; police counted roughly 5 000 protesters along the route.

What were the key issues raised by the protesters?

Protesters highlighted the alleged waste of public funds, the ecological impact of Olympic infrastructure (including the felling of historic larch trees), housing speculation, the role of ICE, and the perceived drift toward stricter security measures.

How might such demonstrations affect the atmosphere and planning of the upcoming Milan‑Cortina Games?