Italy sends 500 soldiers to Milan after minors fill detention centers

Resident commuters and shoppers in Milan can expect a heavier police presence this weekend. The government has authorized the deployment of 500 soldiers to the city to manage security during a new series of protests scheduled for Saturday.

These demonstrations target Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration and the increasing cost of living. The October 17 Movement, a coalition including student federations and grassroots trade unions, announced the plans online. The group described the current government as authoritarian in a social media post.

The military buildup follows chaotic events last weekend in Milan. During those clashes, police detained 271 people, and 220 of them were under the age of 18. Officials have responded with new security measures, including police raids. Officers conducted 150 additional searches in the Lombardy region on Saturday morning.

Organizers for the new protests have kept the specific locations secret until the last minute. They plan to announce three meeting points on social media on Saturday afternoon. A participant identified as E told the group on Thursday that protesters must remain peaceful to avoid giving police a reason to charge.

Authorities are also investigating the digital leadership of the movement. Police located the administrator of the group's Instagram page and are questioning him. The Corriere della Sera identifies him as a 30-year-old Italian-Moroccan freelance journalist. He faces suspicion of inciting crimes.

Legal representatives note that many of the detained minors were new to the movement. Lawyer Michele D'Agostino is defending two clients, aged 21 and 15. He stated that his younger client discovered the protest through TikTok and did not fully understand the context of the events.

Justice Minister Carlo Nordio has called for an expansion of youth detention facilities to handle the number of minor arrests. Meanwhile, truck drivers in southern Italy established roadblocks this week to protest fuel prices. The government responded by creating a special fund for farmers and fishermen to offset supply chain disruptions.