Europe 1 with AFP / Photo credit: AFP PHOTO / LAST GENERATION / HANDOUT 16:04 pm, May 21, 2023

The basin of the famous Trevi Fountain in Rome was colored black on Sunday by environmental activists. He said the deaths of 14 people in floods that devastated northeastern Italy were a "warning" about climate change.

Environmental activists colored the basin of Rome's famous Trevi Fountain black on Sunday, saying the deaths of 14 people in floods that devastated northeastern Italy were a "warning" about climate change. Activists from the organization Last Generation, which is multiplying actions to denounce the inaction of governments in the face of climate change, climbed into the fountain and spread a black plant-based liquid in the water before leaving, escorted by the police. A similar action was carried out a month ago.

Blitz di Ultima Generazione alla Fontana di Trevi. Il sindaco di Roma Gualtieri: "Nessun danno permanente al monumento. La vernice nera si è depositata sul materiale impermeabile, non su marmo" #ANSApic.twitter.com/VhgjInK47t

— Agenzia ANSA (@Agenzia_Ansa) May 21, 2023

More than 36,000 people have been displaced as a result of the floods affecting the Emilia-Romagna region. The equivalent of six months of rainfall fell in 36 hours this week in Emilia-Romagna, causing in this rich agricultural and tourist region the "floods of the century". Mattia, 19, who did not wish to give her last name, participated in this action "because the terrible tragedy that has occurred in recent days in Emilia-Romagna is a warning foreshadowing the black future that awaits humanity".

Actions across Europe

Last Generation began taking action in Italy in 2022 ahead of the general election to call on leaders of all political parties to make the climate emergency their priority. Last Generation activists have multiplied actions across Europe, throwing soup, mashed potatoes or washable paint on the windows protecting famous paintings displayed in major museums or cultural heritage sites.

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The Trevi Fountain is particularly famous thanks to an anthology scene from the film "La Dolce Vita" by Federico Fellini which shows Swedish actress Anita Ekberg bathing there in evening dress. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrived in Emilia-Romagna on Sunday to visit the weather-ravaged places.