Tear Gas, Tensions and Environmental Anger: Milan Protest Near Olympic Venue Turns Violent

Italian police deployed tear gas and water cannon on Saturday as a splinter group of protesters clashed with security forces near the Santagiulia Olympic ice hockey venue, disrupting what had begun as a large, peaceful demonstration against the environmental, economic, and social impact of the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

A Peaceful March That Turned Violent

An estimated 10,000 people marched through Milan earlier in the day, representing grassroots unions, housing‑rights groups, environmental activists, student networks, and civic organisations. Their grievances ranged from rising housing costs to the felling of trees for Olympic infrastructure, particularly the controversial new bobsled run in Cortina. Protesters carried cardboard cutouts of trees and smoke flares, chanting against what they described as the Games’ “unsustainable” footprint.

The march remained peaceful until a smaller, masked group broke away near Piazzale Corvetto and attempted to move toward the Santagiulia venue. Some threw firecrackers, smoke bombs and bottles at police. Officers in riot gear responded with tear gas and water cannon, pushing the group back after brief but intense clashes. Six arrests were reported.

Security Concerns and U.S. Presence

The protest also targeted the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel deployed to assist with security for the American delegation. Demonstrators carried signs reading “ICE out” and criticised what they viewed as an unnecessary foreign security footprint. Italian authorities clarified that the ICE unit present was part of Homeland Security Investigations, which routinely supports international events, and not the U.S. domestic immigration enforcement arm.

The demonstration coincided with the visit of U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who attended the opening ceremony the previous evening. Officials said there was no indication that the clashes affected athlete transport or Olympic operations.

Environmental and Economic Frustrations

Protesters accused organisers of bypassing environmental protections and fast‑tracking construction projects under the justification of Olympic urgency. Many expressed fears that the financial burden of the Games would ultimately fall on taxpayers. One demonstrator said he worried that the private entity overseeing the Games would “pass on debt to Italian taxpayers,” while others criticised the felling of mountain forest areas for new venues.

The International Olympic Committee has defended the Games’ sustainability plan, arguing that most venues are existing structures and that new construction is limited.

Heavy Police Presence and Controlled Escalation

Police maintained a strong presence throughout the city, securing access roads to the Olympic Village, where around 1,500 athletes are housed. Earlier in the day, masked protesters ignited smoke bombs and firecrackers on a bridge overlooking a construction site roughly 800 metres from the Village, though none of the objects reached the athletes’ area.

Authorities said the violent splinter group was contained before the main demonstration dispersed, preventing further escalation.

A City Divided as the Games Begin

The clashes underscore deep divisions in Milan as the Winter Olympics get underway. While the opening ceremony at San Siro celebrated Italian culture with global fanfare, thousands in the streets voiced fears that the Games would leave behind environmental damage, economic strain, and heightened security tensions.

As the competition continues, Milan faces the dual challenge of hosting a global sporting event while managing the anger of residents who feel the cost—environmental, financial, and social—is too high.