Riot police conflict with protesters at Milan Winter Olympics amongst tear fuel as six are arrested
Six people have been arrested after riot police violently clashed with protesters during the first day of the Winter Olympics in Milan.
Thousands of people gathered on the streets on Saturday to protest a range of issues, including the cost of living and environmental concerns linked to the games.
A breakaway group of around 100 protesters started throwing firecrackers, smoke bombs, and bottles at police in an attempt to access a highway near the Olympics venue.
Police responded with a water cannon and tear gas in an attempt to restore order, before carrying out arrests.
They managed to hold off the violent demonstrators, who appeared to be trying to reach the Santagiulia Olympic ice hockey rink.
By then, the larger peaceful protest, including families with small children and students, had dispersed.
Protest organiser Alberto di Monte told AFP: ‘These Games were promoted as sustainable and cost-neutral.’
He added that because the Games were spread across multiple sites, billions had been spent on roads instead of protecting the mountains.
A group of around 100 protesters started throwing firecrackers, smoke bombs, and bottles at police in an attempt to access a highway near the Olympics venue
Police responded with a water cannon and tear gas in an attempt to restore order, before carrying out arrests
Police managed to hold off the violent demonstrators, who appeared to be trying to reach the Santagiulia Olympic ice hockey rink
During the demonstration people carried cardboard cutouts to represent trees felled to build the new bobsled run in Cortina.
‘Let’s take back the cities and free the mountains,’ read a banner by a group calling itself the Unsustainable Olympic Committee.
Homemade signs read ‘Get out of the Games: Genocide States, Fascist Police and Polluting Sponsors,’ the final one a reference to fossil fuel companies that are sponsoring the Games.
On the same day another group of anti-Olympic protesters carried out three attacks on the national rail network.
The operation forced the temporary closure of the state-owned railway Ferrovie dello Stato after a fire hit rail infrastructure between Bologna and Venice.
Delays of up to two and a half hours were reported for high-speed, Intercity and regional services.
The Transport Ministry, headed by Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, said: ‘These actions of unprecedented seriousness do not in any way tarnish Italy’s image in the world, an image that the Games will make even more compelling and positive.’
Police said a cabin with a track switch was set on fire before dawn near the Adriatic city of Pesaro.
A man looks at a board announcing delays at Milan’s train station, as Italian police investigate possible sabotage to electricity cables near the city of Bologna
People wait at Milan’s train station. Police said attacks in three separate locations had resulted in severe delays on the first full day of the Games near the northern Italian city of Bologna
Several hours later, electrical cables used to detect train speeds were found severed in Bologna, while a rudimentary explosive device was discovered by a track at a nearby location.
A spokesman said no one had claimed responsibility for the incidents, which appeared to have been coordinated.
Earlier, a group of masked protesters had also set off smoke bombs and firecrackers on a bridge overlooking a construction site about 800 meters (a half-mile) from the Olympic Village that’s housing around 1,500 athletes.
There was no indication that the protest and resulting road closure interfered with athletes’ transfers to their events, all on the outskirts of Milan.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has labelled the protesters as ‘enemies of Italy‘.
Writing on Instagram, she said: ‘Thousands and thousands of Italians are working during these hours so that everything works during the Olympics.
‘Many do it voluntarily, because they want their Nation to look good, admired and respected.
‘Then there are them: the enemies of Italy and the Italians, who demonstrate “against the Olympics”, putting these images to an end on the televisons.’
A demonstrator walks near burning rubbish containers during clashes with police following a march in Turin, Italy, last week
The latest clash comes after the government tightened protest laws after more than 100 officers were injured during a demonstrating in Turin last week (pictured)
Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini described those involved in confrontations in Milan as ‘criminals’.
‘Just days after the shameful violence in Turin, more clashes, more attacks on law enforcement,’ he said.
‘We’re proud to have pushed for a new security package that will allow for even more effective interventions against thugs and criminals.’
It comes after the government tightened protest laws after more than 100 officers were injured during a demonstrating in Turin last week.
Shocking video footage from the protests showed a police officer lying on the ground being kicked and beaten by several people, with one using a hammer on him.
The officer’s helmet was flung off in the attack and he was seen desperately trying to flee during the beating.
Another cop, in riot gear, was then seen rushing to his aid, protecting him from further injuries using a riot shield.
Authorities said that while the 29-year-old officer had suffered serious injuries, he was not in a critical condition.
Shocking video footage from the protests in Turin (pictured) showed a police officer lying on the ground being kicked and beaten by several people, with one using a hammer on him
Responding to the events in Turin, Ms Meloni said: ‘When you hit someone with a hammer, you do so knowing that the consequences can be very, very serious.
‘This is not a protest, these are not clashes. This is attempted murder.’
Milan, Italy’s financial hub is co-hosting the Winter Olympic games with the Alpine resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo.
The games kicked off on February 6 and will continue until February 22.
