Edward Marchesi Last weekend, Milan was the scene of a series of lootings and clashes that repeatedly disrupted normal life in the city center. The incidents, which occurred between Saturday afternoon and Sunday evening, affected the main streets of the historic center—from the Duomo to Via Torino, passing through the Sforza Castle and Brera—leaving doubts about the ability of law enforcement to deal with a spontaneous and disorganized mass demonstration.
From a protest against the high cost of living to a night of chaos
On Saturday, a demonstration called "Italy in the Square" began, organized primarily by students and young citizens concerned about rising prices for goods and services. The meeting was scheduled for 3:00 PM in Piazza Duomo, and the event was promoted on social media, especially on TikTok.
The demonstration was supposed to be a peaceful event, but immediately after the march was blocked on Via Broletto—a narrow thoroughfare between the Duomo and the Castello—the first clashes broke out . Throwing rocks and bottles, and the police using batons and water cannons marked the beginning of a tense day.
The dispersion of the groups and the attack on the shops
Some of the protesters managed to escape, heading towards Via Torino and the Via Broletto area, where groups of masked protesters began vandalizing shops and street furniture. Among the most visible damages were the looting of the Carrefour supermarket on Via Torino, the damage to the windows of chains such as Levi's, Under Armour, Foot Locker, and Decathlon, and the breaking of four tram shelters. Amateur video cameras showed youths moving furniture from outdoor areas, lighting small fires, and throwing objects at police cars.
Intervention by law enforcement and the number of arrests
Authorities attempted to contain the situation by deploying tear gas, water cannons, and squad charges, but the lack of a widespread presence made the operation difficult. Some officers, including director Angelo De Simone, suffered minor injuries from stone attacks. By the end of Saturday, checks led to the arrest of 12 people, five of them minors, and the reporting of 22 others. On Sunday, the riots resumed with the same intensity: new groups looted the Carrefour, smashed shop windows on Via Orefici and Via Dante, and prompted the early evacuation of the Duomo Cathedral, closing the metro station.
Arrest statistics and profile of those responsible
Overall, law enforcement arrested more than 200 youths, approximately 80% of whom were minors . Most of those involved were of Italian origin or second-generation Italians, with a large number from outside Milan. The groups were characterized by small groups of 10-20 people, quickly armed with bottles, rocks, firecrackers, and even coat hangers, ready to unleash violence anywhere in the city center.
The Council of Ministers and the new measures for public order
Faced with a situation described as "unacceptable," the Council of Ministers approved a decree containing new provisions to prevent and combat urban violence. The measures include increased resources for law enforcement, enhanced surveillance technology, and the introduction of harsher penalties for looting and the use of blunt instruments against officers. Milan's mayor, Giuseppe Sala, strongly condemned the criminal acts, calling for a stronger police presence in the area, while Lombardy Region President Attilio Fontana called the perpetrators "scavengers" and called for zero tolerance.
Legislative measures at the national level aim to contain the phenomenon, but their effectiveness will depend on the speed with which the new provisions are implemented and the ability of local authorities to ensure a permanent presence in the most sensitive areas of the city.