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A chaotic scene unfolded in Milan on Saturday as police used water cannon and tear gas against protesters just steps from an Olympic ice hockey rink.
A group known as the Unsustainable Olympic Committee organized demonstrations highlighting concerns related to the environmental, economic and social impact of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
Demonstrators also protested the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Italy, The Associated Press reported.
The confrontation with police occurred near Milan’s Santagiulia ice hockey stadium, a newly built arena that has faced scrutiny over construction delays and concerns over the size of the rink.
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Fireworks explode during clashes between police officers and protesters trying to block a road leading to the Santagiulia ice hockey stadium on the day of a protest against the environmental, economic and social impact of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Games in Milan, Italy, February 7, 2026. (Reuters/Claudia Greco)
Global Guardian, an international security firm, issued a travel alert on Saturday, according to the AP.
“Expect increased security and associated disruption in the affected area over the next several hours,” the security alert said. “Lay out bypass routes. Avoid all protests.”
The alert also said that at least five people were detained.
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A group of masked protesters were seen setting off smoke bombs and firecrackers on a bridge overlooking a construction site about a half-mile from the Olympic Village. An estimated 1,500 athletes will be housed in the Olympic Village for this year’s Games.
Fireworks explode near a police water cannon used against protesters trying to block a road leading to the Santagiulia ice hockey stadium on the day of a protest against the environmental, economic and social impact of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, February 7, 2026. (Reuters/Guglielmo Mangiapane)
Police vans behind a temporary metal fence secured the path to the athletes’ village, but the protesters diverted and continued their apparent route towards the Santagiulia venue. A strong police presence guarded the entire route.
Police vehicles converge as fireworks explode on February 7, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
There was no indication that the protest and subsequent road closures interfered with the athletes’ transportation to their events, all on the outskirts of Milan.
At a larger peaceful demonstration, which police said numbered about 10,000 people, people carried cardboard cutouts representing trees cut down to build the new toboggan run in Cortina. A group of dancers performed to the rhythm of drums. Music played from a truck leading the march, including an anti-ICE anthem full of profanity.
“Let’s take back the cities and liberate the mountains,” read a banner from the Unsustainable Olympic Committee. Another group called the Proletarian Hikers Association organized the trimmed trees.
