Protesters loot shops and clash with police in Milan and French cities

On Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, a Milan march against wars and rising living costs began peacefully then turned violent. Masked protesters threw stones, paving blocks and other objects at riot police and set fire to barricades made from bar tables. Piazza del Duomo and a luxury shopping arcade emptied. Police used water cannons and tear gas. At least two police officers were injured and about 50 demonstrators, including many minors, were detained, LaPresse reported. A carabinieri car was shown severely damaged. Some demonstrators took shelter behind police during the clashes. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni wrote that demonstrating is a right but setting cities ablaze is not, citing hooligans who exploit demonstrations to sow chaos, attack those responsible for ensuring security and hold entire cities hostage. Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala said the reasons for the protests were understandable but the violence against law enforcement and serious damage to the city are not justifiable. Unrest coincided with French demonstrations over living costs; looting and damage were reported in Paris, Marseille, Lille and Nice. Near Place de la République, a cosmetics store window was smashed and products thrown to the crowd, and phones were thrown from a broken-into mobile phone shop. An unverified social media post said rioters rammed security barriers against a mayor's office door in Marseille.