Milan police arrested more than 200 people after protests over the cost of living escalated into violence

More than 200 people have been arrested since Saturday in Milan after protests against the rising cost of living escalated into violent clashes with police. The violence continued on Sunday, for the second consecutive day, in the city center, where groups of young people threw objects at law enforcement officers, vandalized shops and destroyed property.

Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse violent groups in the area around Piazza Duomo. A nearby supermarket was ransacked, while garbage bins, scooters and bicycles were damaged. Images shared on social media showed masked individuals attacking police cars.

Similar incidents were also reported in Bologna and Turin. Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala said he had seen smashed shop windows, looted stores and frightened citizens, expressing concern about the scale of the phenomenon and its connection to the international context.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni convened a security meeting for Monday and condemned the violence. She said that protest is a right, but vandalizing cities is unacceptable. The clashes are taking place against the backdrop of similar protests in France.