Climate protest in green – Extinction Rebellion colors the famous Grand Canal in Venice She challenged the abortion ban in Texas – and won

Climate activists in Italy have once again drawn attention to themselves with a spectacular action: members of the protest group Extinction Rebellion have painted the famous Grand Canal in Venice green. Some activists abseiled from the Rialto Bridge across the central canal of the northern Italian lagoon city on Saturday afternoon and poured dye into the water, the group said on social media. The water in the canal then shimmered green.

Visitors to the city, which is especially popular with tourists, noticed that the water in the Grand Canal suddenly glowed green. Three activists from Extinction Rebellion hovered above them, unfurling a large poster with the words ‘COP28: While the government talks, we are hanging on by a thread’, as seen in photos. Spectators gathered on the Rialto Bridge during the action. Occasionally, passing gondoliers also took photos with their cell phones.

According to their own statements, the activists poured fluorescein into the water, a non-toxic substance used in tests in sewage networks. With the action they wanted to protest against the “ridiculous progress” made at the COP28 world climate conference in Dubai. “We are tired, we are tired of being fooled by our governments and knowing that our future is in danger while politicians do nothing,” the report said in a statement.

The protest group also took action in other Italian cities. In Milan, for example, she colored the Naviglio Grande – the oldest and most famous Navigli canal in the metropolis – green. But the group also took part in actions in Rome, Turin and Bologna. (sda/dpa)