Hundreds of protesters have gathered in Milan, Italy, to voice strong opposition against the planned deployment of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel during the upcoming Winter Olympic Games. The demonstration took place in the historically significant Piazza XXV Aprile, a square named to commemorate Italy's liberation from Nazi occupation in 1945.
Echoes of American Protests in Italian Square
In a powerful echo of anti-ICE protests that have occurred across the United States, demonstrators in Milan created a vibrant atmosphere of resistance. Participants blew whistles and sang songs by Bruce Springsteen, blending musical protest with direct political action. The gathering represented a significant moment of international solidarity against immigration enforcement policies.
Symbolic Banners and Historical Connections
Protesters carried banners with poignant messages that reflected both local and global concerns. One banner declared "Never again means never again for anyone," while another read "Ice only in Spritz," cleverly referencing the popular Italian aperitif. A third banner stated "No thank you, from Minnesota to the world, at the side of anyone who fights for human rights," directly connecting the Milan protest to recent events in the United States.
Notably present at the demonstration were members of ANPI organisations, which preserve the memory of Italy's partisan resistance during the Second World War. Their participation added historical weight to the protest, linking contemporary concerns about immigration enforcement with Italy's own history of resistance against oppression.
Olympic Security Plans Spark Controversy
The protest follows recent announcements from the US State Department confirming that several federal agencies, including ICE, will be deployed to help protect American visitors during the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. This represents standard practice for previous Olympic Games where US officials have provided security support for their citizens abroad.
Milan and the Alpine resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo are preparing to co-host the Winter Games from 6th to 22nd February, with high-profile American officials including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio scheduled to attend the opening ceremony on 6th February.
Clarifying ICE Roles and Italian Reactions
The announcement has generated significant controversy in Italy, traditionally a strong ally of the United States. This reaction comes particularly after recent incidents in Minnesota where two US citizens were shot and killed by federal agents during protests against ICE operations in January.
It's important to clarify that the ICE agents scheduled for deployment in Milan belong to Homeland Security Investigations, a unit focusing on cross-border crimes that frequently sends officers overseas for major events like the Olympics. This differs from Enforcement and Removal Operations, the ICE unit primarily responsible for immigration enforcement within the United States, with no indication that these particular officers are being sent to Italy.
The protest in Milan represents growing international concern about immigration enforcement practices and their extension beyond national borders, particularly during high-profile global events like the Winter Olympics.
