Italy: Pro-immigration protest planned in Milan August 28

Event

Civic groups have planned a pro-immigration demonstration in Milan on Tuesday, August 28, to protest a meeting on migration policies between Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. A large number of participants are expected to gather in front of the Prefecture headquarters in Piazza San Babila at 17:00 (local time). A heightened security presence and localized transportation disruptions are expected near the demonstration site.

Context

On Sunday, August 26, Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Salvini announced that he and other government officials are facing abuse of office, kidnapping, and illegal arrest charges after the government refused to allow a rescue ship holding 150 migrants to disembark at a Sicilian port, leaving the passengers and crew stranded for ten days.

As leader of the far-right Lega Nord party, Salvini has led a crackdown on immigration policies since taking office in June.

Advice

Individuals in Milan are advised to avoid protests as a precaution and allow additional time to travel near demonstration sites.