Demonstrators clash with police near Winter Olympics venue in Milan
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A chaotic scene unfolded in Milan on Saturday as police used water cannon and tear gas on demonstrators just steps from the Olympic ice hockey rink.
A group known as the Sustainable Olympics Committee has organized demonstrations highlighting concerns about the environmental, economic and social impacts of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
Demonstrators also protested the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Italy, the Associated Press reported.
The clash with police occurred near the newly built Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, which has faced scrutiny over construction delays and rink size concerns.
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Fireworks explode during clashes between police officers and demonstrators trying to block the road to the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena during a day of protest against the environmental, economic and social impacts of the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics in Milan, Italy, on February 7, 2026. (Reuters/Claudia Greco)
Global Guardian, an international security firm, issued a travel warning on Saturday, according to the AP.
“We anticipate that security will increase in the affected area in the next few hours and that there will be associated disruptions,” the security warning said. “Plan to bypass the route. Avoid any protests.”
The warning also stated that at least five people were detained.
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A group of masked protesters were seen throwing smoke bombs and fireworks at a bridge overlooking a construction site about a half-mile from the Olympic Village. It is estimated that approximately 1,500 athletes will be accommodated in the Olympic Village for this year’s Games.
Fireworks explode near police water cannons used against demonstrators trying to block the road to the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena during the day of protest against the environmental, economic and social impacts of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, on February 7, 2026. (Reuters/Guglielmo Mangiapane)
Police vans behind a temporary metal fence secured the road to the athletes’ village, but the protesters drove away, continuing their apparent route towards the Santagiulia field. A heavy police presence guarded the entire route.
Police vehicles approach each other as fireworks explode in Milan, Italy, on February 7, 2026. (Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
There was no indication that the protest and resulting road closures prevented athletes from transferring to events on the outskirts of Milan.
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In a larger, peaceful demonstration that police said numbered about 10,000, people carried cardboard cutouts representing trees felled to build the new toboggan run in Cortina. A group of dancers performed to the rhythm of the drums. Music, including an anti-ICE anthem containing profanities, was heard from a truck leading the march.
The banner prepared by the Unsustainable Olympic Committee read: “Let’s take back the cities and free the mountains.” Another group, the Association of Proletarian Travelers, also organized the felling of trees.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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