Seven climate activists demonstrated today in the waters of the world famous Trevi Fountain in Rome. They heated the water by adding a liquid containing diluted charcoal. The police pulled the group from the water.
look. Climate activists paint the Trevi Fountain black in Rome: the action draws many boos
The protesters belong to the movement group Ultima Generazione (The Last Generation), also known for throwing soup on Vincent van Gogh’s painting De Sower. They held up a sign at the fountain that read, “We don’t pay for fossil fuels,” as part of a campaign against fossil fuel subsidies, and shouted, “Our country is dying.”
Protesters reported severe flooding and landslides this week in the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna. There it started to rain heavily after months of drought. Extreme weather is linked by scientists to global warming.
Mayor Roberto Gualtieri condemned the act. “Enough of these ridiculous attacks on our artistic heritage,” he said on Twitter. Gualtieri says he hopes the fountain will not be permanently damaged by the procedure, and calls on activists to take action “without endangering the effects.”
Trevi Fountain is the largest fountain in Rome and one of the most famous fountains in the world. Activists have previously demonstrated at other well-known fountains in the city. For example, they poured a black liquid into one of the fountains on the famous Spanish Steps in Rome.
See also. Activists pour black liquid into the Roman fountain at the famous Spanish Steps
The Italian government announced a tougher crackdown on climate activists in response to the measures. It wants to punish the vandalism of cultural heritage with damages ranging from 10,000 to 60,000 euros.
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