Italian police have fired tear gas and water cannon at protesters who threw firecrackers, smoke bombs and bottles at them near a Winter Olympics venue.
Officers in riot gear and with shields confronted about 100 protesters, some of whom wore hoods and scarves to cover their faces, after they broke away from a main demonstration and appeared to be trying to reach the Santagiulia Olympic ice hockey rink.
A group of protesters also set off smoke bombs and firecrackers about half a mile (800 metres) from the Olympic Village, where around 1,500 athletes are staying.
Fireworks explode in the sky over police officers. Pic: Reuters
Six people were arrested during the altercation, according to police sources.
The main demonstration saw an estimated 10,000 people taking to the streets of Milan on Saturday, on the first full day of the Winter Olympics, to protest against the environmental, economic and social impact of the Games.
Read more: Follow all the updates from the Winter Olympics in Italy
Protesters and police clash as the splinter protest turns violent. Pic: AP
Protesters take cover as police use a water cannon against them. Pic: Reuters
Olympic infrastructure projects criticised
The march was organised by grassroots unions, housing-rights groups and social centre community activists.
Protesters carried cardboard cutouts of trees to represent the trees that were felled to build the new bobsled run in Cortina for the Olympics, arguing that infrastructure projects like this have damaged the environment in mountain communities.
Protesters carry cardboard cutouts of trees. Pic: Reuters
Protesters hold smoke flares during a protest against the environmental impacts of the Olympics. Pic: Reuters
“They bypassed the laws that usually are needed for major infrastructure projects, citing urgency for the Games,” one protester said, adding that he was concerned that the private company organising the event would eventually pass on debt to Italian taxpayers.
The International Olympic Committee argues that the Games largely use existing facilities, making them more sustainable.
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Police brought the splinter group of violent protesters under control before the main demonstration finished, according to Italian news agency ANSA.
‘ICE out’ signs
Some protesters said they were opposed to the deployment of US immigration and customs enforcement (ICE) agents to Italy to provide security to the US delegation of athletes, following previous protests in the buildup to the Games.
Some signs read: ‘ICE out’ and ‘Meloni’s government is destroying the rule of law’. Pic: Reuters
US Homeland Security Investigations, an ICE unit that focuses on cross-border crimes, often sends officers to events abroad like the Olympics to help with security.
The ICE unit used to crack down on immigration in the US is known as Enforcement and Removal Operations, and there is no indication its officers have been deployed to Italy.
Italian police fire tear gas at protesters near Olympics venue
