Greta Thunberg banned from Venice after Grand Canal dye protest

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has received a 48-hour ban from Venice after participating in an environmental protest that colored the city's iconic Grand Canal with bright green dye. The weekend demonstration, organized by the Extinction Rebellion group, utilized non-toxic tracer dye to highlight what participants described as the escalating impacts of climate collapse.

Protest Details and Official Response

During the protest, the 22-year-old activist and fellow demonstrators displayed a banner reading "stop ecocide" from the historic Rialto Bridge while marching through Venice in distinctive red-veiled costumes. Venetian authorities responded by issuing fines of $172 each to Thunberg and dozens of other participants. Luca Zaia, governor of the Veneto region, strongly condemned the action, stating on Instagram that "Vandalism doesn't protect the environment," and arguing that such acts damage the city and ironically generate pollution through required cleanup efforts.

Coordinated Actions Across Italy

The Venice protest formed part of a coordinated series of demonstrations across multiple Italian cities, with similar dyeing actions occurring in Milan, Palermo, and Bologna where activists colored various fountains and waterways. These events represent the latest in a pattern of disruptive environmental protests that have gained international attention in recent years through controversial tactics targeting cultural landmarks and artworks.

Recent Activism History

Thunberg's involvement in the Venice protest follows her recent detention and deportation from Israel last month, where she had joined a flotilla attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. The climate activist continues to employ high-profile demonstrations to maintain attention on environmental issues, though her methods increasingly face legal consequences and public debate about the appropriateness of targeting cultural heritage sites for climate advocacy.