Second night of disorder in central Milan

Groups of young people, split into clusters of 10 or 20 and mostly dressed in black, some with their faces covered, gathered in Piazza Duomo on Sunday, 18 October, before spreading through the centre's streets. The worst damage was on via Torino, where windows were smashed, bins, scooters, bicycles and street furniture were thrown into the road, and the outdoor tables and umbrellas of bars were dragged out and wrecked. A Carrefour supermarket was forced open and looted, and the group left carrying bottles of alcohol and throwing food into the street. Tables and chairs were hurled at the window of the Footlocker store, and the window of the Champions shop in the same street was also struck. Many shops pulled down their shutters while police in riot gear stood guard in the square.

The 17 October march and arrests

The march organised by the Italia in Piazza movement on Saturday, 17 October drew about 5,000 people in Milan, according to Adnkronos. The Questura, Milan's police headquarters, said at least 2,000 very young people were involved in the violence, which began near via Broletto with a barrage of thrown objects and then spread to barricades, fires and attacks on officers. Police responded with charges and tear gas. A Carabinieri car was attacked with iron bars and badly damaged, and at one shop the security staff were assaulted. The disorder ended around 22:30, when 72 people were taken to police offices in Via Fatebenefratelli and 16 of them were arrested. The Juvenile Court told Adnkronos that 11 of those taken in were minors, including one girl, and that they face charges of devastation, aggravated injury and resisting a public official.

Taken to police offices72

Arrested16

Minors among those taken in11

Taken to police offices

72 people

Arrested

16 people

Minors among those taken in

11 people

Data from the article text

Damage estimates

Confcommercio Milano secretary general Marco Barbieri said the first estimate for the city centre exceeds 500,000 euros, counting both damage and lost takings after shops were ordered to close at 17:00. In Bologna, Confcommercio put the damage at at least 500,000 euros, excluding lost sales, and said businesses on via Indipendenza, via Matteotti, nearby streets in Bolognina and the Galleria 2 agosto area had stopped trading from 15:00 on 17 October. Confcommercio's figure for Milan and Bologna together is 1 million euros. On 18 October, Milan mayor Giuseppe Sala told Sky TG24 that the city was trying to assess the damage so that those affected could be compensated.

“What I am trying to do is assess the damage to the city, because those who suffered damage should be reimbursed.”

Milan city centre (over, incl. lost takings)500,000

Bologna (at least, excl. lost sales)500,000

Milan city centre (over, incl. lost takings)

500000 EUR

Bologna (at least, excl. lost sales)

500000 EUR

Data from the article text

Political reaction and the Bologna call

Bologna's 17 October rally was called by a group named 'Carrelli vuoti', which brought together collectives and antagonist groups including Cua, Crash and Plat in piazza Minghetti against the rising cost of living. According to what emerged, numerous young people, mostly minors and reportedly of foreign origin, then joined the group after being called through Telegram groups set up for the purpose, with the declared aim of copying unrest in France. AVS politician Nicola Fratoianni questioned who was behind the 'Italia in piazza' call and said the response to violence needed more than a statement.

“We need to ask questions, because otherwise even the right and necessary distancing from violence risks not being enough to organise a response.”

Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni has convened a meeting on public order for Monday, 19 October, in light of the clashes. Police identified 197 people across the cities where 'Italia in piazza' marches were held and took them to police offices.