Climate activists' fountain 'stunt' condemned

(ANSA) - ROME, APR 1 - A climate crisis consciousness raising action in which activist group Ultima Generazione (UG, Last Generation) poured black liquid into Rome's famed Barcaccia fountain was condemned as a stunt by Italian officials Saturday.
    "It was a stunt by a group of eco-idiots," said Rome culture pointman Miguel Gotor.
    "Raising awareness of Green issues is right but the way they do it is wrong," said Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri after surveying the newly black waters of the fountain near the Spanish Steps.
    Gualtieri said he would discuss with Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano whether the three climate protesters could be prosecuted for criminal damage to the cultural heritage.
    Centrist Azione (Action) leader Carlo Calenda said "they aren't hooligans, but imbeciles".
    UG said two groups of members had poured vegetable liquid coal into the Barcaccia, and another famous fountain in the Marche port city of Ancona, "in order to denounce the gravity of the current climate situation and the unacceptability of the inaction of politics to contain its damage".
    They said the two fountains had been chosen as "symbols on the one hand of the refreshment offered by water and, on the other, of the danger it can represent".
    The actions were part of the 'Let's Not Pay For Fossil Fuels' campaign which UG is a part of, they said. (ANSA).