Milan Demonstrators Rally Against U.S. ICE Agents Ahead of Winter Olympics
Hundreds of protesters gathered in Milan on Saturday to voice strong opposition to the deployment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents during the upcoming Winter Olympics. The demonstration took place in Piazza XXV Aprile, a square symbolically named for Italy's liberation from Nazi fascism in 1945, drawing participants from various political and social organizations.
Protest Details and Participant Composition
The protest attracted individuals from the left-leaning Democratic Party, the CGIL trade union confederation, and ANPI organizations dedicated to preserving the memory of Italy's partisan resistance during World War II. Many other concerned citizens joined the rally, which featured organizers distributing plastic whistles that participants blew enthusiastically as music played from a nearby van.
The demonstration served as a dual protest against both the news that ICE agents would participate in security operations for the U.S. delegation and what many attendees described as creeping fascism in the United States. Protesters remained undeterred by the fact that these agents would be stationed in a control room rather than operating on Milan's streets.
Symbolic Banners and Emotional Responses
Participants displayed numerous banners with powerful messages reflecting their concerns. One banner read "No thank you, from Minnesota to the world, at the side of anyone who fights for human rights", while another declared "Never again means never again for anyone". A more lighthearted yet pointed banner stated "Ice only in Spritz", referencing the popular Italian aperitif.
Protester Silvana Grassi held a sign equating ICE with the Gestapo, expressing deep emotional distress about scenes from the United States. "It makes me want to cry to think of it", Grassi said. "It's too terrible. How did they elect such a terrible, evil man?" Her comments referenced disturbing reports of ICE activities in Minneapolis and other U.S. cities.
Official Responses and Security Clarifications
The deployment of ICE agents has sparked significant backlash across Italy, with Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala stating they were not welcome in the city. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi has been summoned to Parliament to testify about the security arrangements this week.
It's important to note that the ICE agents deployed to Milan belong to Homeland Security Investigations, a unit focusing on cross-border crimes that frequently sends officers to overseas events like the Olympics for security assistance. These agents are not from Enforcement and Removal Operations, the ICE division responsible for immigration enforcement in the United States.
Persistent Opposition Despite Operational Details
Even with this clarification, protesters maintained their opposition. Paolo Bortoletto, another demonstrator holding a banner, acknowledged that the officers would have investigative rather than street-level roles. "We don't want them in our country", he stated firmly. "We are a peaceful country. We don't want fascists. It's their ideas that bother us."
The Winter Olympics are scheduled to begin on February 6 with an opening ceremony expected to be attended by U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, adding diplomatic significance to the security arrangements that have now become a flashpoint for public protest in Milan.
