Milan riots: looting by the cathedral and clashes with police

Violent riots broke out on Saturday in the centre of Milan, on Piazza del Duomo: a group of aggressive young people smashed up shops and threw cobblestones and fireworks at police. Because of the clashes, Milan Cathedral closed to tourists earlier than planned, Italian media report.

According to those reports, the participants smashed windows and looted the best-known department store in the city centre, and completely destroyed a McDonald’s restaurant. Police responded with tear gas, a water cannon and batons. Several frightened tourists locked themselves inside shops and had to be freed by firefighters. Local residents also got involved, pouring water from their windows onto the masked demonstrators.

Attilio Fontana, president of the Lombardy region, said what happened was not a student protest but “a raid by jackals, thieves and rapists”. In his words, police must be given every tool for a firm restoration of order: “Our cities cannot become hostages of these criminals.”

On Saturday, demonstrations for affordable housing and better social conditions took place not only in Milan but in other Italian cities as well. Youth groups are calling for further protests on social media. For Monday, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has called a meeting of the public order council.

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Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz