### **ICE Rejected and Vance Booed in Italy**
### **Milan Winter Games Plagued by Protests, Sabotage, and Government Crackdown Amid Rising Tensions**
Milan, Italy — The much-anticipated Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Games have been deeply overshadowed by a wave of public unrest, acts of sabotage, and a stringent government crackdown, casting a shadow over the international sporting event’s opening days. The turmoil has sparked fierce debate across Italy and beyond, as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni vehemently condemned the protesters and saboteurs, branding them as “enemies of Italy,” a phrase that has intensified the already charged atmosphere. ![>](file-guid:590bd0b5-9afa-4079-b5de-e8274cdcf206 "vanc.jpg" =250x)
US President Donald Trump expressed surprise after hearing that Vice President J.D. Vance was booed at the Olympics opening ceremony in Italy.
The Winter Olympics officially opened on Friday, with the traditional Parade of Nations at Milan’s iconic San Siro Stadium. Team USA entered the stadium to applause, though when the cameras briefly showed Vance and his wife Usha waving American flags from the stands, the booing began.
_“Oops... those are a lot of boos for him... whistling, jeering, some applause. Not a long shot for him on the screen there,”_ CBC
On Saturday, the streets of Milan became the stage for a massive demonstration, drawing around 10,000 citizens united in opposition to the Winter Games. The protesters voiced multifaceted concerns, focusing sharply on the environmental degradation and economic strain they believe the event imposes on local communities. Central to the dissent was the controversial presence of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, who have been deployed to assist with security for American officials attending the Games. This involvement has ignited outrage, particularly in light of ICE’s recent association with the fatal shootings of two US citizens in Minneapolis, which has further fueled distrust and anger among demonstrators.
While the majority of the marchers maintained a peaceful stance, a smaller faction of roughly 100 individuals diverged from the main group and engaged in violent confrontations with law enforcement. Police forces responded decisively, deploying tear gas and water cannons in an effort to restore order, highlighting the escalating tension between security forces and dissenters.
Prime Minister Meloni addressed the nation via Instagram on Sunday, drawing a stark contrast between the dedicated volunteers who have tirelessly supported the Games and the disruptive elements she described as “gangs of criminals.” She expressed unwavering support for the police and workers, emphasizing that their efforts were being undermined by those intent on chaos and disorder.
Compounding the unrest, the Italian Transport Ministry has initiated a terrorism investigation following coordinated sabotage targeting railway lines near Bologna and Pesaro. The deliberate damage inflicted on critical infrastructure caused significant travel delays, affecting thousands of commuters and visitors. To date, no organization has claimed responsibility for these acts, leaving authorities scrambling to identify the perpetrators and motives behind the attacks.
In the midst of this turmoil, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has publicly recognized the right to peaceful protest but drew a firm boundary against violence. IOC spokesperson Mark Adams underscored that while dissent is a legitimate expression within democratic societies, violent actions have no place in the Olympic spirit or the Games themselves.
These developments come on the heels of a newly approved security decree by the Meloni government, which grants police expanded powers to detain individuals for up to 12 hours if there is reasonable suspicion that they intend to disrupt peaceful demonstrations. This legislation signals a clear shift toward a more stringent approach in managing public dissent, particularly in the context of high-profile international events like the Winter Games.
The unfolding situation in Milan reveals a complex intersection of global politics, civil rights, and national security concerns, raising profound questions about the balance between maintaining order and respecting democratic freedoms during major international gatherings. As the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Games continue, the world watches closely, aware that the legacy of these Games may be shaped as much by the political and social unrest as by athletic achievement.
