Milan Police Fire Tear Gas, Arrest Protesters After Anti‑Olympics Rally Turns Violent

A large anti-Olympics demonstration in Milan on 7 February began as a mostly peaceful protest but escalated into violent clashes near the Olympic Village and the Sant'Ambrogio ice hockey arena.

“A chaotic scene unfolded in Milan Saturday as police deployed water cannons and tear gas against demonstrators just steps away from anOlympic ice hockey rink”

930 WFMD Free Talk

Police deployed water cannon and tear gas and made multiple arrests.

930 WFMD Free Talk

Sources report that the Unsustainable Olympics Committee organized the day's march, and thousands — roughly 10,000 by several accounts — participated in daytime actions criticizing the environmental, economic and social costs of the Milano-Cortina Games.

As evening fell, a smaller splinter group engaged with police, setting off fireworks, smoke bombs and firecrackers and, in some accounts, throwing stones, which led to police dispersal tactics and further detentions.

Multiple accounts describe the march’s scale and character similarly: a large, mainly peaceful daytime protest with vivid imagery and organized elements, though they emphasize different facets.

Several sources report about 10,000 participants carrying cardboard cutouts of trees and staging performances and chants opposing the Games’ environmental and economic impacts, and organizers included groups such as the Unsustainable Olympics Committee and the Association of Proletariat Excursionists.

AnewZ

Protesters’ stated grievances ranged from the Games’ cost and ecological damage to opposition to the announced presence of U.S. immigration agents.

Eyewitness and outlet descriptions diverge on the violent subgroup's tactics and proximity to athletes, producing different risk narratives.

“Demonstrators face riot police during a protest against the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday Feb”

Associated Press

Several reports describe a faction of about 100 hooded or masked protesters who attacked police with fireworks, smoke bombs, flares and stones near the Santagiulia rink and on roads leading toward the Olympic Village.

Other accounts say devices were set off roughly half a mile from athletes' housing and that firecrackers were too far to hit the Village.

Police reported charges and the use of water cannon and tear gas in response, while footage and police statements circulated in coverage.

The protests unfolded against a charged political backdrop that different sources emphasize in different ways.

Many articles link demonstrations to opposition to U.S. immigration enforcement presence and to domestic security measures enacted by the Meloni government.

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Other outlets connect the unrest to wider grievances about costs, the environment, and recent international incidents.

Coverage notes booing of visiting U.S. officials, new preventive-detention measures, and prior unrest in Turin.

Several outlets also highlight that Italian authorities have launched investigations into alleged rail sabotage that has disrupted travel.

Beyond immediate clashes, outlets vary on follow-up details and tone.

“•Medal winners:Italy’sFrancesca Lollobrigidabroke a women’s speed skating record in front of the home crowd, Swiss skierFranjo von Allmenwon Milan Cortina’s first gold medal, and Japan’sKira Kimurawowed the judges in the snowboard big air competition”

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Several emphasize ongoing investigations and travel warnings.

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Others highlight venue scrutiny and note that competitions continued despite disruption.

Reports consistently say authorities will pursue probes into rail incidents and that organisers vowed further actions during the Games.

The degree of alarm or reassurance differs across outlet types.