Overview of the Milan protest
On the evening of Wednesday October 1, thousands gathered in Milan to condemn the Israeli assault on the Global Sumud Flotilla. Estimates put the crowd at about 5,000 people who turned out for a protest that began in the city center and ended with a brief disruption at a key transport hub. The mood was calm, with no reported clashes as the crowd moved through central Milan.
How the protest unfolded
The demonstration began at 21.30 in Piazza della Scala, a space that activists had dubbed Piazza Gaza in recent days in solidarity with the flotilla. The square quickly filled with flags and placards as the crowd grew, with a march forming that moved through the central streets under police observation. As the group converged toward the Cadorna area, the turnout reached about five thousand participants.
The route and the final act at Cadorna
From Cairoli onward the march broadened, with chants calling for an end to what protesters described as a genocidal action and for Palestinian liberation. Around 23.00, a portion of the activists made their way onto the tracks at Milan Central Cadorna station, occupying the area for roughly half an hour before the crowd began to disperse and the march continued to Piazza Duomo. The incident at Cadorna marked the most attention-grabbing moment of the night, though it did not lead to violent confrontations.
Police presence and crowd management
Authorities kept a visible presence, with several police vans and anti riot units stationed along the procession route. In contrast to a previous encounter on September 22 at the Centrale station, Wednesday night’s events were characterized by restraint and orderly dispersal once the occupiers retreated from the tracks.
Social media and mobilization
The protest was amplified on social media networks. A preplanned static presidio was announced for 18.00 in case flotilla boats were stopped, but the gathering did not materialize. A union aligned message from USB framed the situation as an attack on international law, calling for broader actions and a general strike on October 3. The Lambretta social center also helped mobilize participants, urging action with calls to action shared online.
Impact on Milan public transport
ATM responded to the protest by adjusting services. The tram 1 route was altered to run only between Certosa FS and Cairoli, bypassing Centrale. Metro lines M1 and M2 also altered their schedules and both stopped short of Cadorna. The authorities had closed certain stations as a precaution and for security reasons, with the changes in service posted on the transit provider’s channels.
Authorities and response from the government
Following the flotilla incident, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi summoned prefects and chief municipal police to coordinate a response and to prevent disorder while preserving the right to protest. The aim described by officials was to engage with organizers to isolate any violent actors and to safeguard sensitive sites, including locations tied to the Israeli community and its supporters.
Context and what’s next
The Milan protest is part of a broader wave of demonstrations sparked by the disruption of the Global Sumud Flotilla. Organizers emphasize solidarity with the Palestinian cause, while authorities stress maintaining public safety and proportional responses to events. With calls for a general strike circulating around October 3, observers will be watching how protests evolve in Milan and other Italian cities in the days ahead.
