Milan: clashes at the Duomo, 60 detained during protests against rising costs
Hundreds of young people unleashed urban rioting in central Milan during a demonstration against rising fuel and tax costs. Dozens injured and shops devastated; half of those detained are minors.
Chaos in central Milan during demonstration
On Saturday 17 October, a protest organised by the "Italia in Piazza" movement against rising costs turned into urban rioting in the Lombardy capital. According to tg24.sky.it, hundreds of young people dressed in black occupied Piazza Duomo, forcing police to retreat under a barrage of smoke bombs, barriers and bottles. The toll includes at least a dozen police officers injured, around twenty demonstrators, and over sixty young people detained, half of whom are minors.
The demonstration had been publicised on social media channels, particularly TikTok, by the "Italia in Piazza" movement. Police were informed and did not consider the event worrying beforehand. The situation escalated shortly after the protest began, when fragmented groups of young people took control of the main demonstration.
Escalation in Via Broletto and Via Mazzini
The clashes began on Via Broletto with bottles and objects being thrown at deployed police officers. Subsequently on Via Mazzini there was a dense and continuous barrage of stones, with police responding with tear gas. Some demonstrators set fire to rubbish bins. In the late afternoon the violent rioting concentrated in Piazza Duomo, where demonstrators used the square's width to attack police and quickly retreat. The attacks were sudden, with stones and barriers being hurled followed by immediate flight. A chemical toilet was set on fire. Police also used a water cannon to disperse the young people.
Looting between Corso Vittorio Emanuele and San Babila
Destruction was also recorded between Corso Vittorio Emanuele II and San Babila, where a group of masked demonstrators targeted various shops, smashing windows with hammers and stones. The Foot Locker store was among the main targets, with some demonstrators attempting to enter to steal merchandise. A Carabinieri patrol car was destroyed, with windscreen and windows smashed, and subsequently cordoned off with barriers.
Origins of participants and profile of those detained
According to police, the hundreds of young people were self-organised, coming from the periphery, the surrounding area and other provinces, moving in small groups without central coordination. Many participants are minors, predominantly of second-generation background, characterised by a look described as "maranza". The event also involved other Italian cities: clashes were reported in Turin, Bologna and Bergamo, with stone-throwing and firecrackers being launched at police.
Political statements
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the violence, whilst at the same time rejecting "reticence that becomes justification". She called on the opposition not to be ambiguous in condemning the urban rioting incidents. Milan's city centre suffered significant damage, with a complete assessment of the damage still ongoing.
Source: Google News IT — Crime (it)