Milan protest turns violent as youths clash with police

A protest in central Milan against the cost of living degenerated into urban guerrilla warfare on Sunday, with barricades, fires, and clashes leaving around 30 people injured and over 50 detained, half of them minors. The "Italia in piazza" demonstration drew 5,000 people, but violence erupted when groups of hooded youths, many from second-generation immigrant backgrounds and unaffiliated with political movements, attacked police with stones and firecrackers. Shops were looted, including a Foot Locker store, and Piazza del Duomo was evacuated amid tear gas. The unrest, partly mobilized via TikTok and inspired by recent riots in France, saw rioters target "everything" in the city center. Police cars were damaged, and a senior officer was hit in the head with a cobblestone. Many peaceful protesters abandoned the march early, distressed by the violence.