Environmental activists on Sunday painted the basin of Rome’s famous Trevi Fountain black and said the death of 14 people in floods in northeastern Italy was a “warning” of climate change.
Activists from the organization Last Generation (The Last Generation), which is multiplying its actions to denounce government inaction in the face of climatic upheaval, climbed into the well and, before exiting, poured a black plant-based liquid into the water, accompanied by police .
More than 36,000 people have been displaced due to the floods in the Emilia-Romagna region. In Emilia-Romagna, 36 hours of rainfall this week equaled six months of rainfall, causing the “floods of the century” in this rich agricultural and tourist region.
19-year-old Mattia, who did not want to give her last name, took part in this action “because the terrible tragedy that has happened in Emilia-Romagna in recent days is a warning that foreshadows the black future that waiting for mankind”.
Last Generation began taking action ahead of Italy’s 2022 general election to urge leaders of all political parties to make the climate emergency their priority.
Activists of the last generation have multiplied their actions across Europe, including throwing soup, mashed potatoes or washable paint at windows to protect famous paintings displayed in major museums or cultural monuments.
The Trevi Fountain is particularly famous for an anthology scene from the film “La Dolce Vita” by Federico Fellini, which shows the Swedish actress Anita Ekberg bathing there in her evening dress.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrived in Emilia-Romagna on Sunday to visit the places hit by the storm.