'Eco-vandals' throw green dye into Venice canal

A group of Italian climate activists, linked to the Extinction Rebellion movement, carried out a remarkable protest this Saturday (09/12/23) in Venice.

Unhappy with the lack of progress perceived at the 28th United Nations Conference on Climate Change, known as COP28, protesters decided to dye the waters of the iconic green Grand Canal.

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During the action, activists used the Rialto bridge, the oldest and most emblematic of Venice, to display a banner with the message: “COP28: while the government speaks, we are hanging by a thread”.

In addition to the water intervention, a rope was used to suspend some protesters from the bridge.

The mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro, reacted to the action, classifying the activists as “eco-vandals”. As a result of the protest, boat traffic on the canal was temporarily stopped “as a precaution”, as Brugnaro said.

“The eco-vandals again… We had to interrupt the public service as a precaution, given their acrobatics and adventures. This time we also report them for 'interruption of a public service' and we sincerely hope that they end up in jail”, declared the mayor on the social network (formerly Twitter).