Rioters loot stores in Milan during cost-of-living protest featuring Palestinian symbols

Rioters looted stores and clashed with police in central Milan on Saturday during a cost-of-living protest that also featured Palestinian flags and keffiyehs. The march began peacefully but turned violent as masked protesters threw stones and set barricades on fire. Police used water cannons and tear gas. Two officers were injured and about 50 demonstrators, including minors, were detained. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni and Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala condemned the violence.

Rioters clashed with police, looted stores and set property on fire in central Milan on Saturday, emptying Piazza del Duomo and a luxury shopping arcade during a cost-of-living protest that also featured Palestinian flags and keffiyehs. The march against wars and rising living costs began peacefully but turned violent when masked protesters threw stones, paving blocks and other objects at riot police and set fire to barricades made from bar tables. Police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowds. At least two police officers were injured and about 50 demonstrators, including many minors, were detained, according to the LaPresse news agency. Shops pulled down their shutters and tourists fled the central area. The Duomo metro station was closed during the clashes. In Bologna, police used a water cannon and made seven arrests after a protest turned violent. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni condemned the violence, writing on social media that 'demonstrating is a right. Setting our cities ablaze is not.' Milan's center-left mayor, Giuseppe Sala, said the reasons for the protests were understandable but the violence was not justifiable. The unrest coincided with nationwide demonstrations in France against rising living costs. The article concludes with a direct appeal from the editor for reader financial support.