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.
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