European Patriots rally, tensions between antagonists and police in Milan

Tensions in Milan between antagonists and the police during the social centres procession against the European Patriots rally, organised by the Lega, in Piazza Duomo. In via Borgogna, the police are using water cannons against the demonstrators, while the antagonists are throwing firecrackers, smoke bombs, and bottles at the officers in an attempt to force the blockade and reach Piazza Duomo. After the tensions with the police in via Borgogna, the demonstrators of the antagonist procession against the Lega Lega rally retreated, turning into via Visconti di Modrone and resuming their authorised route. Choruses rose from the procession 'servants of the State' and 'get the fascists out of Milan'.

Against the Patriots' rally three marches were organised, which rejoined at the height of the Palazzo di Giustizia, in Corso di Porta Vittoria, Milan. Joining them were the procession of the social centres that started from Piazza Tricolore, the one promoted by associations and parties that started from Piazza Lima with the slogan 'Milan is migrant', and the demonstration of the pro-Palestinian realities that started from Piazza Argentina.

Il corteo organizzato contro il raduno dei Patrioti europei in programma in piazza Duomo di Milano, 18 aprile 2026. ANSA/Paolo Salmoirago

After a brief negotiation with the Police, the procession against the Patrioti event was allowed to continue along Corso Buenos Aires as far as Piazza Oberdan without turning onto Viale Regina Giovanna as initially planned. At the crossroads where the procession was supposed to deviate, the young activists of the Cantiere wrote with paint on the asphalt 'Milano è migrante', then chanting chants such as 'we are all anti-fascists'. The police had set up barriers to prevent the procession from reaching Piazza Oberdan, which were then removed, allowing the demonstrators to advance towards the area from which the Patriots' procession heading towards Piazza Duomo had started. A banner with the words 'Milan is migrant and partisan' was also placed between two traffic lights at the junction with Viale Majno. Among those present at the demonstration was also the regional councillor Luca Paladini wearing a Sentinelli t-shirt.

Salvini's rally in Piazza Duomo

Matteo Salvini began the communication in Piazza Duomo for the European Patriots event by remembering Giacomo Bongiorni, the man who died in Massa after a fight with two boys in which he was beaten. He then added: 'We remember the man who founded our great League, our thoughts go to our Umberto Bossi, thanks to those who remembered him and will always remember him'. From the crowd rose the chorus 'Bossi, Bossi'.