A protest took place near the Olympic Village in Milan on Saturday evening, initially starting peacefully in the afternoon with demonstrators opposing the Olympics. However, as the night progressed, tensions erupted, leading protesters to throw smoke bombs and fireworks towards law enforcement and the athlete accommodations. The police responded with tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd, which included groups attempting to access the Olympic Village housing approximately 1,500 athletes during the games.

Images from AOP showed riot-gear clad police trying to control the chaotic situation as they approached the crowd with truncheons. The protest was organized by opponents of the Olympic games, aiming to voice their discontent over various social issues related to the event. According to reports from the Associated Press, the police actively prevented protestors from entering the Olympic Village and surrounding areas—including a nearby highway and the renowned Santa Giulia sports complex.

Corriere Della Sera reported that around 5,000 people participated in the march, but the number dwindled before the clashes erupted. In the chaos, some protesters were arrested, and the incident was closely monitored by authorities to ensure the athletes’ safety as the Olympic games approach. The violent turn of the demonstration could have implications for the overall atmosphere surrounding the games and the ongoing public sentiment towards their organization in Italy.