It began in France, but it has not stayed there. The unrest in Paris has spread to Milan, where days of protests over poor public services and the rising cost of living have turned violent.
After shops were looted and vandalised, the Italian government is preparing to deploy 500 soldiers to bring the situation under control. Luxury shops in the city closed early as a result, the Guardian reported.
Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said on social media on Monday that 500 more soldiers were being sent to protect Milan. The measure is expected to be approved at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. Italy holds a general election next year.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met ministers and security chiefs on Monday about the violence. Antonio Tajani, the other deputy prime minister and foreign minister, said the government would take tough action against this attack on the state, in particular to stop violence by minors.
Luxury stores looted: In Milan’s luxury shopping district around Via Montenapoleone, brands such as Chanel, Tiffany and Dior removed items from their displays as a precaution. Hundreds of hooded protesters set fire to bins and looted shops in the city centre over the weekend. Many of them are believed to be minors.
Television footage showed shops belonging to sports retailer Decathlon, Arc’teryx and mobile operator Vodafone being vandalised. Levi’s, Under Armour and Decathlon boarded up their windows with cardboard and wooden panels. Italian police said 271 young people were detained during the protests in Milan on Sunday.
Of them, 32 were formally arrested, including 23 minors and 13 foreign nationals. On Saturday protesters also clashed with police in other northern cities, including Bologna, Brescia, Bergamo and Turin. In Turin, 28 protesters were arrested.
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