The Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, described as “enemies of Italy” those responsible for the disturbances recorded during Saturday’s violent protests against the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games.
Some 5,000 people participated in the demonstrations in Milan, which led to clashes with the police and acts of sabotage on the railway network, especially in Bologna, which led to a strong mobilization of security forces.
Meloni noted on his social networks that “thousands of Italians work to make everything work at the Olympics,” including numerous volunteers.When referring to those who caused the incidents and disseminated images of the events, he stated that they act as “enemies of Italy and the Italians”, in direct reference to those responsible for the violent acts.
The protest was called by the Unsustainable Olympics Committee (IOC) and brought together students, anti-capitalist and environmental groups.The demonstration aimed to denounce the social and environmental impact of the Olympic Games, emphasizing the felling of trees for the construction of ski slopes and the presence of American ICE agents alongside the United States delegation.
The route of the march was planned outside the Olympic areas.However, tension increased near Corvetto Square, where some protesters tried to cross the police cordon to access the highway. The riot forces resorted to charges, water cannons and tear gas, while attendees threw stones, firecrackers and fireworks.
After the clashes, five people were arrested and taken to the police station. During the protest, some carried cardboard trees and banners with the slogan “Let’s reconquer the cities, let’s liberate the mountains.”
In parallel, northern Italy suffered significant alterations in the railway service due to the cutting of cables in the city of Bologna.This sabotage, attributed by the Ministry of Transport to “actions coinciding with the opening of the Games”, caused delays on high-speed trains between Milan, Turin and Venice.
The Italian Government, after the previous riots in Turin the previous weekend, approved new urban security measures.These norms include the possibility of “preventive detention” of people considered at risk before any demonstration, to prevent violent incidents.
The opening of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games brought together athletes from 93 countries and tens of thousands of attendees.The event takes place under strict surveillance and maintains public attention due to the wave of protests and the debate about its social and environmental impact.
The authorities reiterated their support for law enforcement and workers affected by the incidents, and recognized the challenge posed by protests in the context of an event of international scope.
