Milan Faces Renewed Protests Amidst Security Deployment
Source reports published 23 Oct 2026, 10:00 am – 25 Oct 2026, 5:50 am AEST
Following previous clashes and looting, thousands of protesters marched in Milan and other Italian cities, supported by a deployment of 500 soldiers. The government enacted new measures targeting minors and increasing penalties for rioters.
What happened
- Protests erupted across Italy, including Milan, Rome, and Turin, driven by concerns over the rising cost of living and government policies.
- Journalist Martina Miccichè reported violent clashes in Milan’s Piazza del Duomo, with police using batons and teargas against a crowd, resulting in injuries.
- Following the previous week’s unrest, the government, led by Giorgia Meloni, deployed 500 soldiers to Milan and announced increased security measures, including raids and searches.
- The ‘October 17 Movement’ organized the demonstrations, claiming the government was authoritarian.
- Protesters engaged in acts of vandalism, targeting luxury boutiques and setting bins alight.
- Police detained over 271 young people, including 13 foreign nationals.
- The government implemented measures holding parents financially accountable for their children’s actions.
- Simultaneously, demonstrations occurred in other European cities, encompassing issues such as education, corruption, and anti-war movements.
Original reporting
- Guardian: Milan braces for more unrest as debate intensifies over Italy’s ‘lost generation’
2026-10-23T00:00:00+00:00 - Al Jazeera: Hundreds of soldiers deploy as protesters rally in Italy’s Milan
2026-10-24T00:00:00+00:00 - PBS NewsHour: Soldiers guard center of Milan as thousands of protesters march in cities across Europe
2026-10-24T19:50:31+00:00 - France 24 English: Italy hit by new cost of living protests
2026-10-24T17:12:54+00:00