Climate activists on Saturday colored the water of a famous Italian fountain, which is at the foot of the Spanish Steps in Rome, black.
The activists argue that the black water predicts an “end-of-the-world scenario” towards which humanity is believed to be heading.
Three climate change activists from the organization Last Generation poured a black liquid into the 17th century fountain on Saturday in front of many onlookers before the police removed them from the premises.
This famous fountain is known as La Barcaccia. The Italian sculptor Pietro Bernini designed the fountain in the shape of a boat.
This, together with the famous stairs located only meters away, has become a popular tourist attraction over the years.
“By turning the water black, the end of the world is predicted, as we continue to worsen the climate crisis,” the organization said in a statement.
“Droughts and heat waves alternating with devastating floods will mean an end to life on Earth.”
Last Generation started holding peaceful, yet disruptive, protests before the general election in Italy last year to encourage politicians to make climate change one of their main priorities.
The latest demonstration is part of a series of demonstrations across Europe that seek to draw attention to climate change.
Among other things, activists threw food products such as soup, cake and mashed potatoes, as well as washable paint on heritage and cultural sites and on works of art in museums.
Climate activists in #Italy turned a Baroque-style fountain at the foot of #Rome’s Spanish Steps black on Saturday, in a protest they said evoked an “end of the world” scenario.https://t.co/1Wp3J7ifUb pic.twitter.com/yz6ouCtQII
— Alghadeer English (@alghadeertv_eng) April 1, 2023