MILAN, Oct. 20 — Italy plans to send 500 additional military personnel to Milan after weekend unrest in central Milan, as luxury shops closed early and the government weighed temporary police powers for troops.
ANSA reported that Chanel, Hermès and Pomellato closed their Milan stores Monday. Reuters reported that retailers cleared window displays along Via Montenapoleone while police patrolled the street. Confcommercio estimated damage at more than €1 million, including lost revenue, Euronews reported.
Defense Undersecretary Isabella Rauti said a security summit on Oct. 19 decided to add the personnel to strengthen Milan’s security presence. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said new legislation was needed to let soldiers perform police duties for three months while supporting law enforcement.
Rai News reported that a Saturday demonstration promoted by Italia in piazza focused on living costs, low wages, public health services and conditions in public schools. The Associated Press reported that the march was calm initially, before masked demonstrators threw objects at police and set barricades on fire. Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala said the protesters’ concerns were understandable but condemned violence against law enforcement and damage to the city, the AP reported.
Reuters reported that police detained 271 young people on Sunday; it separately reported 32 arrests among people taken to police stations. The Cabinet was scheduled to consider a security decree at 11:30 a.m. EDT Tuesday (15:30 UTC).
