Europe 1 with AFP 15:12 pm, April 01, 2023

During a protest, environmental activists from the organization Last Generation blackened the water of a monumental Roman fountain in Rome's Spanish Square. They poured liquid carbon from vegetables into the Barcaccia, a baroque masterpiece of the 17th century, to evoke an "end of the world" scenario.

In Italy, environmental activists blackened the water of a monumental Roman fountain in Rome's Spanish Steps, during a demonstration they said evoked an "end of the world" scenario. Three activists from the organization Last Generation poured liquid carbon from vegetables into the Barcaccia, a 17th-century baroque masterpiece at the foot of the Trinità dei Monti staircase, before being escorted by police. The fountain, shaped like a boat, was designed by the famous Italian sculptor Pietro Bernini.

Gli "attivisti" di Ultima Generazione hanno versato vernice nera nella fontana della Barcaccia in Piazza di Spagna.pic.twitter.com/I7iqQB8cGe

— James Lucas (@JamesLucasIT) April 1, 2023

Peaceful protests since 2022

Making the water black "foreshadows the 'end of the world' scenario we are heading towards, as we increasingly rely on the accelerator: drought alternating with devastating floods, which will end life on Earth," Last Generation said in a statement.

Last Generation began organizing peaceful but disruptive protests in Italy last year ahead of the general election, urging politicians from all parties to make climate change their priority. The protests in Italy are part of a series of actions across Europe to draw attention to climate change. Activists sprayed soup, mashed potatoes or washable paint at various heritage sites and art objects in museums.