On Saturday in Milan, hundreds assembled in the historically symbolic Piazza XXV Aprile to express their disapproval of the involvement of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at the upcoming Winter Olympic Games. This protest took place despite the knowledge that the agents will be stationed exclusively within a control room, rather than patrolling public areas.
The gathering featured participation from a wide array of groups, including representatives of the Democratic Party, the CGIL trade union federation, and the ANPI, an organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of Italy's anti-fascist partisan resistance during World War II. The protest atmosphere was charged, with organizers distributing plastic whistles that attendees blew in unison alongside music played from a nearby van.
The demonstration targeted the recent announcement of ICE personnel involvement in Olympic security as well as a broader critique of what many attendees perceived as a surge of authoritarian tendencies within the United States. Various banners declared slogans such as "No thank you, from Minnesota to the world, at the side of anyone who fights for human rights," and "Never again means never again for anyone." One sign humorously referenced a popular Italian aperitif with the phrase "Ice only in Spritz," reflecting the protesters' rejection of the agency's presence.
The ICE agents designated for Olympic security belong to Homeland Security Investigations, a division that primarily addresses cross-border criminal activities and often participates in international events like the Olympics. They are distinct from Enforcement and Removal Operations, the ICE branch responsible for immigration enforcement within American cities. Despite this distinction, protestors expressed persistent opposition to any ICE presence in Italy.
Local political response has reflected similar concerns. Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala publicly stated that ICE agents are unwelcome in the city. Additionally, Italy’s Interior Minister, Matteo Piantedosi, is scheduled to appear before Parliament to address queries related to the deployment. Demonstrators voiced their alarm over scenes reported in the United States involving ICE agents, including violent confrontations and child detentions, which deeply disturbed participants like Silvana Grassi, who carried a sign labeling ICE as "Gestapo."
Another protester, Paolo Bortoletto, acknowledged that the ICE officers will not have street-level duties but emphasized that the opposition stems from ideological differences. "We don’t want them in our country. We are a peaceful country. We don’t want fascists. It’s their ideas that bother us," he said.
The planned opening ceremony of the Olympics, set for February 6, will be attended by U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, underscoring the event’s international political significance.