Violent riots broke out in Milan for the second consecutive day, resulting in the detention of over 270 individuals by Italian law enforcement officials.
What happened
The riots, which began on Saturday, saw thousands of protesters engage in violent actions, including the destruction of outdoor seating areas, tables, and the vandalism of several stores. A supermarket was also looted during the protests.
According to reports, the majority of the detainees are minors, with 80% of those taken to police headquarters on Sunday being under the age of 18. At least 60 of the detainees are migrants.
Italian police responded to the riots with riot police units, water cannons, and armored vehicles, eventually bringing the situation under control by late afternoon. At least 14 law enforcement officials were injured during the riots, including one officer who was hit in the head with a stone.
The riots are reportedly part of a larger movement, with the group behind the protests calling for weekly Saturday protests in multiple Italian cities, including Milan, Rome, and Turin. The group is demanding the resignation of the government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
In response to the riots, Meloni has called for an urgent security meeting to assess new security measures, including the potential implementation of Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini's 'Safe Streets' program, which would increase police and military presence in the streets.
