Hundreds of demonstrators in Italy rallied against the participation of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in securing the Winter Olympics. The protests unfolded in Milan on Saturday, where participants blew whistles and performed songs by Bruce Springsteen, mirroring tactics employed by anti-ICE activists in the United States.
Details of the Milan Demonstration
Organizers highlighted concerns over ICE’s role in protecting the U.S. team during the Games, scheduled from February 6 to 22 in Milan and the nearby Alpine town of Cortina d’Ampezzo. This security assistance aligns with federal support provided for American diplomats at past Olympic events.
The outcry stems from recent fatal encounters involving federal agents in Minnesota, which have fueled widespread anger. Among the protesters was Umberto Daddario, a 54-year-old industrial chemist, who joined his 16-year-old daughter Giorgia. They held a homemade sign declaring “ICE=FASCISM.”
Fabio, a 49-year-old architect from Milan, attended with his wife and daughters, aged 10 and 6. “We came at our daughters’ insistence to voice opposition to the events unfolding in the U.S.,” he explained.
Italy’s Security Measures and U.S. Delegation
Italian authorities have outlined a comprehensive security framework for the Olympics, emphasizing full control over all operations. The U.S. contingent will be headed by Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Milan’s mayor, Giuseppe Sala, expressed strong reservations about ICE’s involvement. “They do not align with our democratic approach to security management,” Sala stated during an interview on RTL Radio 102.
Incidents Fueling the Protests
The demonstrations gained momentum following two deadly shootings by federal agents. On January 7, Renee Nicole Good, a mother of three, was fatally shot inside her vehicle after a confrontation with ICE agent Jonathan Ross. The Trump administration maintains that Ross acted in self-defense. However, video evidence appears to depict Good maneuvering her car to leave the scene.
Later, on January 24, intensive care nurse Alex Pretti was killed in a similar incident. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) asserts the agent fired in self-defense, citing Pretti’s alleged possession of a handgun and resistance to disarmament. Eyewitness accounts and Pretti’s family members have contested this narrative.
