Around 5,000 people have protested in Milan against the Winter Olympics, whose opening ceremony was held on Thursday. The protest was accompanied by violent clashes between protesters and police.
Protesters reportedly threw fireworks at police vans, who responded with water cannons and tear gas. Italian media also reported a gun attack on police, although details remain unclear.
A group of protesters, wearing hoods and helmets, marched towards the city's eastern ring road, throwing smoke bombs and fireworks along the road. The situation became particularly tense in the Corvetto area, where after clashes with police, five people were arrested and taken to the police station.
Protesters threw bottles, fireworks and tear gas at riot police, who blocked the road leading to the eastern ring road. After intervention with water cannons and firearms, the protesters temporarily retreated, but then resumed their march towards Corso Lodi.
The march opened with banners condemning the felling of trees in some of the areas where the Olympic competitions will be held, La Repubblica reports. On Via Monpiani, some protesters carried a banner with the inscription "Know your enemy".
The protest continued to Piazza Gabrio Rosa and then to Viale Martini.
Whistles for Vance again
JD Vance was booed again during the women's hockey game between the United States and Finland at the Hockey Arena in Milan Rho, which he was watching with his family. As the US vice president, escorted by security, emerged from the stands to leave the arena, a loud and clearly audible "boo, boo" erupted from a section of the audience. The protest was brief and came from only one section of the arena, where mostly American fans were seated. The game was almost over; the US team had defeated Finland 5-0.
Trump: I'm surprised by the whistleblowers about Vance
US President Donald Trump said he was "surprised" by the public booing his vice president, JD Vance, during the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Olympics. " It's surprising because people like him. He's in a foreign country, to be honest, but in this country (Vance) doesn't get booed," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.