“The Olympics Are Draining Me Dry” – Tens of Thousands Protest Winter Olympics in Milan

(Milan, 8th) Around ten thousand protesters flooded the streets of Milan, Italy, on the 7th to express their dissatisfaction with the recently opened Winter Olympics. During the march, about a hundred people broke away from the main group and threw stones, bottles, and smoke bombs at the police; law enforcement responded with tear gas and high-pressure water to disperse the crowd and arrested six people on the spot.

According to AFP, although sporadic intense clashes broke out, the protest—which took place right after the opening ceremony—remained largely peaceful and orderly. Police confirmed that a total of six individuals involved have been detained.

Due to the intense clashes at last weekend’s protest in the northwestern Italian city of Turin, which resulted in injuries to over a hundred police officers, police forces were on high alert that day.

The protesters carried banners criticizing artificial snow-making, tree cutting, and issues such as the housing crisis in Milan, Italy's financial and fashion capital.

“From an environmental or social perspective, the Olympics are no longer sustainable—its era has ended,” said 29-year-old protester Misana to AFP.

Critics of this Winter Olympics point out that related infrastructure is impacting the fragile mountain environment, and artificial snow-making consumes a large amount of energy and water resources.

Some protesters mentioned that Milan, one of the host cities of the Winter Olympics, saw a surge of wealthy residents attracted by the tax system, resulting in a sharp rise in living costs and driving many original residents to the brink.

The protest march was organized by labor unions, housing rights groups, and other advocates.

One protester’s banner read, “Let’s take back the city, liberate the forests!” Another held a poster with a water droplet painted on it, reading, “The Olympics are draining me dry.”

The International Olympic Committee stated that the Olympics largely use existing facilities, making this sporting event more sustainable.