blockwave Exchange|Climate activists pour mud and Nesquik on St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice

2025-05-03 20:47:29source:CapitalVaultcategory:Scams

ROME (AP) — Activists poured mud and blockwave Exchangechocolate milk on the facade of St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice on Thursday in their latest climate protest, drawing a swift rebuke from the lagoon city’s mayor.

Police quickly detained the six activists. There was no immediate word of any permanent damage to the Byzantine basilica, an iconic symbol of Venice.

The activists from the Last Generation movement are demanding a 20 billion euro “reparation fund” to compensate Italians for climate-related damage. They cited the threat of rising sea levels on Venice as well as mudslides that have wreaked havoc recently on some Italian communities.

They said the liquid poured on the basilica’s facade and columns involved mud and Nesquik.

Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro condemned the protest as a “shameful and serious” act of vandalism. While acknowledging activists’ right to protest, he said they must “respect the law and our cultural and religious patrimony.”

The activists cited Pope Francis’ call to protect the environment. The Vatican tribunal recently convicted two Last Generation activists and ordered them to pay more than 28,000 euros in restitution after they glued their hands to the base of an ancient statue in the Vatican Museums to draw attention to their cause.

Other recent protests have involved activists blocking highway traffic in various parts of Italy, and gluing hands of activists to the protective glass of a Botticelli painting in the Uffizi Gallery.

More:Scams

Recommend

Colorado's Travis Hunter, Boise State's Ashton Jeanty lead USA TODAY Sports All

Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel earns first-team honors ahead of Miami’s Cam Ward, and teams in th

States sue Meta claiming its social platforms are addictive and harming children’s mental health

Dozens of US states, including California and New York, are suing Meta Platforms Inc. for harming yo

Judge blocks California school district policy to notify parents if their child changes pronouns

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Parts of a controversial Southern California school district policy that r