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Soldiers guard center of Milan as thousands of protesters march in cities across Europe
· Confirmed
In Short: In Milan, thousands of young protesters marched the streets, with soldiers deployed and luxury boutiques boarded up, as reported by PBS, Ksat, and News4Jax.
Italian army paratroopers patrolled around Milan's Duomo Cathedral on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, as thousands of protesters marched through the streets, according to McAlester news and the Ottumwa Courier. The demonstrations were part of a series of protests across Italy and Europe, organized by groups from various political spectrums.
In Milan, thousands of young protesters marched the streets, with soldiers deployed and luxury boutiques boarded up, as reported by PBS, Ksat, and News4Jax. By late afternoon, most shops had reopened, according to Italian media.
Protesters gathered outside the Prime Minister's office in Tirana, Albania, on the same day, as reported by McAlester news and the Ottumwa Courier. In Milan, protesters chanted insults at Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and burned a symbolic electricity bill, as shown on local television broadcasts.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced additional measures, including sending 500 more soldiers to Milan and imposing tougher penalties for minors, who made up a large part of the violent protesters, as reported by The Times of Israel (Israel), Arabnews (Saudi Arabia), Breitbart, and PBS.
Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala, who has held the role since 2016, expressed concern about a repeat of violence and supported the deployment of more soldiers, as reported by Arabnews (Saudi Arabia) and Breitbart.
The protests extended beyond Milan to other European cities, including Rome, Madrid, Lisbon, and Tirana, as reported by News4Jax, Arabnews (Saudi Arabia), Ksat, PBS, The Times of Israel (Israel), Breitbart, and Newser.
While the demonstrations in France have garnered most international attention, the protests in Italy and other European cities have also seen significant participation and clashes.
The demonstrations in Milan remained largely peaceful, but there were brief clashes with police in Rome and Turin, as reported by News4Jax, Arabnews (Saudi Arabia), Ksat, PBS, The Times of Israel (Israel), Breitbart, and Newser.
Despite the deployment of soldiers and increased security measures, concerns remain about possible infiltration by violent groups and the potential for further unrest.
Both The Times of Israel (Israel) and Arabnews (Saudi Arabia) reported that the soldiers deployed in Milan were only recently allowed to use plastic restraint ties in areas around train stations, not throughout the city.
The demonstrations in Milan and across Europe reflect broader concerns about rising costs of living and deteriorating public services, as well as social and economic inequalities, as noted by Bertolé, a member of the center-left Democratic Party, and other officials.
The protests in Milan and other European cities highlight the ongoing tensions and challenges faced by governments in addressing the needs and demands of their citizens, particularly the younger generation.
What's confirmed
- Members of right-wing student groups march through the streets of Rome, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, during a demonstration called "Unlock Everything," organized in opposition to recent left-wing student protests and one of several demonstrations held by groups across the political spectrum.
- Italian army paratroopers patrol the area around Milan's Duomo Cathedral, Italy, Saturday, Oct.
- 24, 2026, ahead of a protest against the rising cost of living and deteriorating public services, one of several demonstrations organized across Italy by groups spanning the political spectrum.
- Protesters gather outside the Prime Minister's office during an anti-government rally, in Tirana, Albania, Saturday, Oct.
- Shop windows are boarded up in Milan, Saturday, Oct.
- In Milan, thousands of young people marched the streets as soldiers were deployed and luxury boutiques were boarded up, but by late afternoon, most shops had opened, Italian media reported.
- He will contest a center-left primary in early 2027.
- "I think the images from last week were truly something terrible, especially for the young people, for the students, for the vast majority of the younger generations who want to study... and do not accept being represented by those who use issues and needs to devastate entire cities," said Riccardo Ponzio, national president of an Italian far-right student association.
- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced a raft of measures, including sending an additional 500 soldiers to Milan, and tougher penalties for minors, who police said made up a large part of the violent protesters.
- “Many young people increasingly lack a sense of belonging and prospects for the future. Part of our society feels excluded, amid social and economic inequalities,” said Bertolé, a member of the center-left Democratic Party.
- Milan police say last week’s violence and looting involved about 2,000 very young protesters, a large number of whom were “naturalized, second-generation Italians,” alongside foreign nationals.
- In Milan, police detained several minors as a preventive measure, media reported.
What's still developing
- Russia struck one of the city's bridges soon afterward, The Guardian reported in its Europe live blog.
- It holds thousands of Ukrainian flags and framed portraits of soldiers killed in the war.
- For more than a week, protesters have hurled rocks, flares, firebombs, and fireworks at police who've used batons, water cannons, and tear gas in clashes in the city center.
- WATCH: Why French students are leading massive protests across the country Rioters last weekend smashed their way into stores, targeting sneakers, athletic wear and sporting goods on streets that run off the city's central Duomo square.
- Taking their cue from Spaniards, protesters in Lisbon who have been gathering to demand affordable housing are expected to march across the city on Saturday.