The "treasure hunt" of the Marans. So they change the Saturdays downtown

Saturday protests in Milan have shifted tactics, abandoning traditional authorized marches for a decentralized model described by investigators as a treasure hunt. Meeting points remain secret until minutes before gatherings begin, with announcements released on Telegram and TikTok at staggered times. This strategy aims to manage converging groups while complicating police operations. Former Saturday demonstrations were coordinated with authorities regarding routes and schedules. The new approach relies heavily on social media networks, altering city weekends. Investigators expect this pattern to continue through Christmas. Police units, including the Celere, Carabinieri battalions, Guardia di Finanza, paratroopers, and riot squads, face increased difficulty tracking organized and semi-organized groups moving through the city. The Digos division manages both genuine and fake alerts, noting that the primary goal is often to raise tension levels. On Tuesday, an alert triggered shortly before 3 p.m. warned of potential gatherings in Piazza Cadorna. A few dozen individuals appeared, but no incidents occurred. Last Saturday, approximately 10,000 protesters filled Milan’s streets and squares. The crowd included Palestinian youth, members of the October 17 Movement, students, ProPal activists, anarchists, football ultras, Article 52 supporters, and social center affiliates. Authorities focused on preventing contact between these distinct groups. Over the weekend, police escorted 196 people to headquarters. Of these, 171 received preventive detention orders, three were arrested, and 44 faced formal charges. Police identified 2,921 individuals. Investigations resulted in 34 urban area access bans, five mandatory departures from Milan, two additional access bans for violating removal orders, and 26 sports stadium bans related to risky behavior during events. The situation contrasts with previous spontaneous riots involving looting from suburban areas. Current dynamics suggest an organized channel of urban violence orchestrated by figures exploiting youth disorder to create a false sense of impunity. Central Milan, previously known for shopping crowds and tourists, has become tense. Shop windows are protected by particle board panels, and military personnel guard Piazza Reale. In Lombardy, the Digos conducted over 150 searches recently, identifying hundreds of young participants in this new form of protest. Separately, Turin has recorded significant unrest this year. Local data indicates 400 injured persons, 350 under investigation, and 25 arrests. The city presents a unique scenario in Italy, characterized by a complex mix of actors behind the clashes. These figures highlight the evolving nature of public order challenges across major Italian cities. Law enforcement continues to adapt strategies to address fragmented protest structures and digital coordination methods. The shift away from predictable march routes forces security services into reactive postures, straining resources dedicated to monitoring dispersed groups. Officials emphasize the need for countermeasures against this emerging norm. The integration of online platforms into physical mobilization efforts represents a fundamental change in how dissent is expressed and managed in urban centers.