Dozens Arrested in Milan Riots Linked to France Protests
Violence erupts outside Milan’s Duomo cathedral as protests mirror France’s unrest, with clashes and arrests reported.
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Dozens of rioters have been arrested after violent clashes erupted outside Milan’s Duomo cathedral, marking a surge in unrest that appears to be spreading from France to other European nations. The protests, described as a ‘guerrilla war,’ unfolded in Piazza del Duomo, the square surrounding the neo-Gothic church dedicated to the Nativity of St. Mary.
Violence and Injuries Reported
According to Italy’s public news wire service Ansa, approximately 197 people were detained during the demonstration, with 28 arrested, including 12 minors and six foreign nationals. The violence, which left 141 police officers injured, saw protesters using stones, smoke bombs, fireworks, and Molotov cocktails. The chaos escalated to the point where police were forced to retreat under the barrage of firecrackers, barriers, and bottles.
Protests Mirror France’s Cost-of-Living Protests
The demonstration, which drew an estimated 5,000 participants, was said to mimic the cost-of-living protests in France. While some demonstrators chanted in French, the protest quickly devolved into ‘guerrilla warfare,’ with rioters setting fires, smashing windows, and looting shops. Water cannons were deployed by police to disperse the mobs, and among the injured was Police Chief Angelo De Simone, who was struck in the head with a cobblestone.
Political and Social Undercurrents
Il Giornale newspaper accused Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala and his Green Party-led coalition of ‘fomenting’ the riots, calling for an apology. The paper noted the involvement of ‘second-generation migrants’ and described the rioters as ‘Generation Gaza,’ a term used to refer to youth from multicultural suburbs, many of whom carried the Albanian flag to support the Tirana uprising.
Government Response and Calls for Peace
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the violence, emphasizing that while peaceful protests are a right, setting cities ablaze is not. She urged the opposition to unequivocally condemn the acts of violence. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini called for legislation requiring protest movements to post a financial deposit to cover potential damage.
Source: Breitbart
