Protesters clash with police in Venice over US ambassadors luxury yacht arrival
Hundreds of protesters clashed with riot police in Venice on Friday, demonstrating against the arrival of the US ambassador to Italy's luxury yacht, which they decried as an unwelcome display of wealth and influence.
US Ambassador to Italy Tilman Fertitta arrived in Venice aboard his 117-meter luxury yacht, Boardwalk, which features two helipads, two swimming pools, and a fully equipped spa and gym. The protest targeted Fertitta, who is a billionaire and a close ally of US President Donald Trump.
Activists carrying inflatable water toys and beach balls marched behind a banner proclaiming “Venezia non si USA” – a pun meaning “Venice is not to be used” with the USA acronym capitalized. As they approached a double line of riot police, demonstrators raised their arms in a gesture of peace but were met with shields when they refused to halt. Inflatable objects flew through the air, and following the brief confrontation, protesters chanted “Shame!” directed at the ambassador, the mayor, and the police.
Fertitta's visit is part of a “Coastal Diplomacy 250” tour marking the 250th anniversary of American independence. Police boats surrounded his yacht, which dwarfed nearby buildings, while a significant police presence monitored the demonstrators holding signs stating, “Make America Read Again” and “Oligarch in saor,” referencing a local sardine dish.
Fertitta, a hospitality mogul, described his tour of 13 Italian coastal regions as a celebration of “our shared history, our economic partnership, and the cultural bonds that make the U.S.-Italy relationship so special” in a social media post. He declined an interview but issued a statement supporting the right to protest, stating, “I like Italians. We Americans respect freedom of speech and the right to peaceful protest. Coastal Diplomacy celebrates our nation’s founding and these fundamental rights.”
Many of the groups protesting Fertitta’s arrival aboard his 117-meter (384-foot) luxury yacht, Boardwalk – equipped with two helipads, swimming pools, and a spa – also demonstrated against Jeff Bezos’s wedding last year. Organizers unfurled a banner the length of Fertitta’s yacht on July 4, symbolizing what they called “the dimensions of his arrogance.”
Organizer Stella Morion told The Associated Press, “It’s arrogant to think he can do what he wants in a city that is ever more sold to the single culture of tourism.” She also linked the protest to President Donald Trump’s international politics, including U.S. strikes on Iran, which she claimed have driven up energy prices.
The protest also drew criticism from opposition lawmakers who questioned the costs of the ambassador's tour for Italian taxpayers, given the extensive security measures involving marine, coast guard, and police forces at each stop.
Fertitta is the owner of Fertitta Entertainment and the Houston Rockets basketball team. According to Forbes, he is one of the richest Americans, with a net worth of approximately $11.3 billion.
The protest in Venice is part of a broader movement against the influence of wealthy individuals and foreign policies in the historic city, which has long struggled with the impacts of mass tourism and rising living costs.
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