"Last Generation" Attacks Italy Attraction: Climate Activists Color Trevi Fountain in Rome

Activists of the Italian "Last Generation" have dyed the water in Rome's Trevi Fountain black. With their coal actions, they want to protest against "fossil delusion".

Munich/Rome – The water of the famous Trevi Fountain in Rome shimmers pitch black. Climate activists of the "Ultima Generazione", the Italian "Last Generation", poured a mixture of biochar and water into the well.

Colour attack on the Trevi Fountain: Climate activists protested at the tourist hotspot in Rome. © Mauro Scrobogna/dpa/picture alliance

"We have decided to rebel against those who sentence us to death. And we invite concerned parents, grandparents, siblings and children to join us," explains a climate activist in a statement from the group.

"Last Generation" in Italy: Protest in the Trevi Fountain of Rome – Storms frighten climate activists

The "Ultima Generazione" accuses the Italian government of a "fossil delusion". The climate activists of the Italian "Last Generation" write about their protest at the Trevi Fountain in Rome: "While the climate crisis knocks on the door, breaks up riverbanks and throws fish into the streets, the Italian government cuts resources for soil protection, leaves the plan for adaptation to climate change moldy in the drawer."

Severe storms are currently raging in Italy. First drought, then heavy rain. The Emilia Romagna region is partly devastated, 14 people died.

"Flood disasters and extreme heat and drought events triggered fear, anxiety and anger in me," says one protest participant. Together with four other climate activists of the "Last Generation", she had jumped into the Trevi Fountain. And was taken away by the police only a short time later.

Tough penalties for climate glue in Italy: Government wants to impose fines of up to 60,000 euros

Now she faces a harsh punishment. Italy's government led by the radical right-wing party "Fratelli d'Italia" is cracking down on climate activists and has announced that it will tighten penalties. For vandalism of cultural property, compensation payments of up to 60,000 euros are to be due.

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Climate protest in the Trevi Fountain: The police arrested the activists of the "Last Generation". © Mauro Scrobogna/dpa/picture alliance

But that doesn't deter the activists. "For us, the government will still demand 'exemplary punishments'. However, it should be clear by now that the real eco-vandals, the real barbarians, are not us, but those who are accelerating the ongoing destruction of the environment for mere economic profit," says one participant.

Climate activists of the "Last Generation" dump paint in Trevi Fountain: "The real barbarians"

Throwing yourself into the Trevi Fountain is forbidden anyway. Strict rules often apply to cultural landmarks in Italy. Careless violations can quickly become expensive for tourists. In their statement on the protest action, the climate activists assure that the Trevi Fountain would not be damaged in the dye attack. (moe)