Philip Imundi The demonstrations in Milan are sure to become more intense today, October 24, after protesters announced their intention to demonstrate again to make their voices heard. However, the government has been prepared this time and has deployed a large military force to protect the Lombardy city's most precious monuments.
Protests in Milan, searches starting this morning
Even before the protests themselves began, law enforcement agencies were already in action this morning, carrying out widespread searches in three different cities in Lombardy.
It all appears to have started with a suspicious chat related to the meetings taking place this afternoon, and the alert apparently came from the device of one of the participants in last week's demonstration.
Carabinieri and police conducted over 150 checks . Many minors, as well as high school and university students, were affected.
This crackdown has also reached Piazza Duomo, where since this morning the military have been present to check documents for anyone entering the square.
Demonstrations in Milan, shopkeepers board up their windows with wooden panels.
Despite the threat of demonstrations affecting the city center, shopkeepers have taken steps to protect their businesses and continue to provide their usual service.
In fact, since Monday, many businesses in downtown Milan have been installing wooden panels over their broken windows, as reported by TGCom24 , to protect them from further vandalism. Some have even had notices on them saying "We're not closed," encouraging customers to come in and shop.
The situation is already very complicated due to the current crisis, which was further exacerbated by last week's attacks , but which does not curb the will and right of local entrepreneurs to trade.