Thousands and thousands of Italians are working hard right now to make sure everything runs smoothly during the Olympics. Many of them volunteer because they want their nation to look good, to be admired and respected. Then there are them: the enemies of Italy and Italians, who are demonstrating 'against the Olympics,' resulting in these images being broadcast on television around the world.
Giorgia Meloni wrote this on social media following yesterday's clashes at the Milan demonstration against the Olympics, which occurred "after others cut railway cables to prevent trains from leaving. Solidarity, once again, with the police, the city of Milan, and all those who will see their work undermined by these gangs of criminals ."
Yesterday's demonstration was the first expected to see a large number of protesters, following the one in Turin against the Askatasuna eviction. Tension erupted in Milan as well, with police charges and water cannons. No injuries were reported, though, with only a few bruises among the protesters and six people arrested, members of various social centers.
Around ten thousand people marched in a protest against the Milan-Cortina Games, which opened with the opening ceremony at the Meazza Stadium. They protested the "unsustainable Olympics" and the presence of the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) in Italy, but also other issues, including Palestine and the new security package approved by the Council of Ministers. Opposing groups, associations, and students gathered in Piazzale Medaglie d'Oro, leading the march with a banner reading : "Let's take back the cities, let's liberate the mountains."
The route crossed Corso Lodi and the Porta Romana railway yard, allowing protesters to skirt the Olympic Village, considered one of the symbolic points of the mobilization, without any particular problems, but with just a few protests. From the overpass of the former Porta Romana railway yard, some protesters set off smoke bombs and fireworks toward the train tracks, displaying two banners reading "Binary is for trains" and "Go trans athletes." Another banner, reading "Ice out of Milan," was displayed on Via Benaco by activists from the Il Cantiere social center, who climbed onto scaffolding.
In the Corvetto neighborhood, the final stop of the march, the words "Mercato popolare" (Popular Market) replaced the "Mercato comunale" (Municipal Market) on the facade of the market in Piazza Ferrara , a disused structure included in the "Neighborhood Markets" redevelopment project. Clashes erupted in the Corvetto neighborhood when a fringe of participants, wearing hoods and helmets, broke away from the main march and headed toward the eastern ring road. Bottles, firecrackers, and other objects were thrown at the police, who were in riot gear. Officers conducted containment charges and used water cannons to disperse the group. The situation was then brought under control, allowing the demonstration to conclude on Viale Brenta.
(Unioneonline)