Climate activist Greta Thunberg has been barred from entering Venice, Italy, for 48 hours following her involvement in Extinction Rebellion protests that included dyeing the Grand Canal green. Alongside 35 other demonstrators, she received a fine of $172. The group, Extinction Rebellion, defended the act, asserting that the fluorescent dye used was non-toxic and safe for the environment. They emphasized the stunt was designed to draw attention to the environmental crisis, given Venice’s vulnerability to rising sea levels and increased flooding. The protests were part of a coordinated effort across ten Italian cities, highlighting escalating tensions over climate activism and free speech.
The incident took place just as the COP30 United Nations climate conference concluded in Brazil. Extinction Rebellion had coordinated its actions in ten Italian cities, including dyeing fountains in Genoa and Padova, turning rivers green in Turin, Bologna, and Taranto, and hanging a ‘Stop Ecocide’ banner across the iconic Rialto Bridge in Venice. A silent flash-mob of protesters dressed in red veils moved through dense tourist crowds, drawing attention to the group’s demands for stronger climate action.
Veneto Province Governor Luca Zaia criticized the stunt as a ‘gesture that risks having consequences for the environment’ and a ‘disrespectful act towards our city, its history, and its fragility.’ The Extinction Rebellion group also criticized the Italian government under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for resisting stronger climate measures at the Brazilian COP30 event. Meanwhile, the Italian government has faced mounting pressure to balance environmental concerns with the economic implications of climate policies.
Thunberg’s actions were part of a growing trend of confrontational climate protests worldwide, with reports suggesting that such demonstrations are becoming more aggressive as free speech is tested in various regions. The Italian government’s response reflects a broader debate on the role of civil disobedience in climate activism and the potential legal and reputational consequences for those involved.