At Winter Olympics, protest over cost and ICE ends in clash with police

"MILAN - Police clashed with a breakaway group of anti-Olympics protesters on Saturday, deploying water cannons and detaining at least seven people following a march by several thousand a day after the Opening Ceremonies of the 2026 Winter Games in Italy. Milan police said riot officers responded after several protesters set off fireworks and hurled bottles toward the end of a peaceful demonstration by Olympics opponents from a cross-section of left-wing groups, which have complained about the cost and environmental impact."

"On Saturday, thousands of protesters shouting slogans and holding signs including "ICE out" and "Defend Minneapolis" gathered at Milan's Piazzale Medaglie D'Oro for a march that was intended to end in the vicinity of the main Olympic Village. Ahead of the games, including before Friday's Opening Ceremonies, protesters had rallied against the environmental impact and cost of the Olympics, as well as the ICE presence."

"Politics tinged Friday's ceremony when Vice President JD Vance received a round of boos at San Siro Stadium after being shown on a big screen. Italy's Corriere della Sera newspaper reported that he was booed again on Saturdaywhile leavinga women's hockey match between the U.S. and Finland, as jeers erupted from a part of the arena mainly filled with American fans."

Milan police clashed with a breakaway group of anti-Olympics protesters, deploying water cannons and detaining at least seven after a march by several thousand following the 2026 Winter Games Opening Ceremonies. Riot officers responded after several protesters set off fireworks and hurled bottles toward the end of a peaceful demonstration by left-wing groups protesting Olympic cost and environmental impact. Revelations that ICE agents were being sent to Italy to assist with Olympic security further inflamed passions. Thousands gathered at Piazzale Medaglie D'Oro, shouting slogans and holding signs reading "ICE out" and "Defend Minneapolis." Vice President JD Vance drew boos at events, and Italian media reported he received a private tour of Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper" while the museum was closed to the public. More than three hours into the march, a segment of protesters broke off.

Read at The Washington Post