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Italian police clash with protesters in Milan and Bologna
Police used tear gas and water cannon as masked protesters looted shops and damaged property during cost-of-living demonstrations.
On Saturday, Oct 17, 2026, clashes erupted in Milan's Duomo square as masked protesters threw stones at Italian Police, forcing officers to deploy tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd.
The march against wars and rising living costs began peacefully, but later turned violent as rioters looted shops, set fires to barricades, and emptied the Piazza del Duomo.
Police detained about 50 demonstrators, including many minors, while at least two officers were injured and the Duomo metro station was forced to close during the unrest.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the violence, describing perpetrators as "hooligans who exploit demonstrations to sow chaos," while Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala termed the destruction unjustifiable.
Mirroring events in France and Bologna, where police made seven arrests, the violence reflects broader European civil disobedience patterns driven by economic strain and rising costs.
On the same day as in France, Italy protested against expensive life. While Rome marched quietly behind CGIL, Milan, Turin and Bologna experienced an evening of riots led by very young breakers, often minors, summoned by a movement born on Instagram two weeks ago.