Violence Erupts at Milan Protests Amidst Wider European Unrest

Following a surge of unrest from France, dozens of individuals have been detained after clashes erupted outside the Duomo cathedral in central Milan, described by some as a “guerrilla war.”

On Saturday, youth rioters launched a barrage of stones, smoke bombs, fireworks, and Molotov cocktails as part of the demonstrations against rising living costs, resulting in injuries to approximately 141 police officers. Most of the violence unfolded in Piazza del Duomo, the area surrounding the iconic cathedral which is the largest in Italy and serves as the Archbishop’s seat.

According to Italy’s public news service Ansa, police apprehended 197 demonstrators during the unrest, with 28 arrests made—among them, 12 minors and six individuals from abroad. The report also highlighted the involvement of “second-generation migrants” in the protests.

About 5,000 people joined the demonstration in Milan, which was reportedly inspired by similar protests in France. Some participants even chanted in French. However, the situation quickly spiraled into violent confrontations, as stated by Ansa.

The wire service noted, “Milan was turned into a battlefield, with Piazza Duomo surrounded by hundreds of youths dressed in black. They pushed police back by throwing firecrackers, barriers, and bottles until they occupied the symbolic square of the city.”

In what mirrored the events in France, rioters ignited fires, shattered windows, and looted businesses, prompting police to use water cannons to control the chaos. Among those hurt was Police chief Angelo De Simone, who suffered a significant head injury due to a cobblestone, as reported by the local Corriere della Sera.

Similar to France, many of the rioters are believed to have arrived from the diverse suburbs surrounding Milan. Some social media users speculated that the cathedral was strategically targeted due to the presence of a notable number of Muslims among the demonstrators.

The newspaper Il Giornale accused Milan’s Mayor Giuseppe Sala and his coalition of inciting the unrest. “Dear Sala, the mayor of Youth and Islamists, you owe an apology to the Milanese for the guerrilla warfare in our city,” the publication asserted.

Describing the protesters, Il Giornale remarked: “The police are faced with groups clad in black, their faces hidden. They resemble the old Black Bloc, but instead, they are merely 12- and 13-year-olds without criminal records, calling themselves ‘Generation Gaza’: youth from the suburbs, many of whom are second-generation migrants, waving the Albanian flag in support of the uprising in Tirana.”

“They aren’t genuinely concerned about the soaring cost of living; instead, the march serves as a guise, with the city center being the target, driven by underlying boredom. These are the youths who posted videos on TikTok attacking stores,” it added.

In response to the violence, which also occurred in Turin and Bologna, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her respect for peaceful protesters. However, she condemned those who “exploit demonstrations to incite chaos, attack security personnel, and hold cities hostage.”

“Protesting is a right. But setting our cities on fire is not,” she stated on X. Meloni further called on the opposition to clearly denounce acts of violence and to ensure future demonstrations remain peaceful. “In light of such scenes, a unanimous rejection is necessary. Any hesitation might be seen as justification. Silence is unacceptable.”

Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini also intensified his calls for a law requiring protest organizers to post a financial deposit as a safeguard against potential damage during demonstrations.