Thousands protest against Winter Olympics over public spending and environmental concerns

Rent increases, allegedly made worse by high demand from the Olympics, were a black mark against the 2026 Games, according to protesters this imprint spoke to.

Trade unionist Jessica Todaro from CUB (Confererazione Unitaria di Base) said she was not against the Olympics, but was protesting the poor management of the organizers and the exploitation of hotel workers during this period.

“In general, we support the Olympics as a means of peace among people, especially in times of war,” Todaro said of the union group.

“This Winter Olympics has turned into a money-making machine, the Olympics of millionaires… Hotel prices are increasing. But wages are not increasing at all… The problem is the way the Olympics are managed. The Olympics need to be managed in a way that gives back to the city we are in.

“We think it wasn’t handled well because it exacerbated a problem that was already there. It’s a very luxury event, a very expensive event, all the luxury hotels make lots and lots of money. The poor people who work there are still poor.”

The local pro-Palestinian movement, which held weekly protests in Milan, was prominent with “free Palestine” flags and slogans in both Italian and English.

Vincenzo Strambio, an elderly pro-Palestinian marcher who is not part of the official Palestine group, objected to Israel’s participation in the Games because Russian athletes were denied their country’s franchise due to the Ukraine war. Another marcher objected to one of the Games’ sponsors having ties to Israel.

Rosella, a younger woman, was also pro-Palestinian but was against the Milan Cortina Olympics for various reasons. “I think all of these struggles are interconnected,” he said.

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There were banners bearing hammers and sickles – a communist symbol – belonging to a political party called “Rifundazione Comunista”, some of which translate as Communist Restoration Party (an offshoot of the former Italian Communist Party).

The pace of the march was slow but its duration was long; It lasted from 15:00 until dark after fireworks and tear gas.

Police, equipped with riot gear and backed by the Carabinieri, Italy’s military police, walked ahead of the protesters until they reached a ring road where they drew their own line on the asphalt, keeping themselves about 100 meters away from the action.

This distance between the police and the protester ensured that the only fireworks witnessed were actually fireworks.

This may not be the last protest against the Olympics, either. Marchers claimed that another demonstration would be held on the last day of the Games in Verona, about 150 kilometers from Milan.

There were also widespread rail disruptions for those traveling to the Winter Olympics in London on Saturday. Telegram Italian police are reportedly investigating three separate cases of sabotage.

Winter Olympic Games will be broadcast on television 9Network, 9Now And Stan Sports.