Italy - 28 Arrests in 6 canals

   Yesterday, XR Italy, a chapter of Extinction Rebellion dyed the waters of the Grand Canal and other Italian rivers and canals green. Twenty eight people were taken to the police station in Venice. Five of the twenty eight were issued a four year ban from the city of Venice.

   These bans, seen in London, Ottawa, Canada, the United States, and other places, are an alarming trend which prevents climate activists from getting important messages out to the public, a dangerous human rights issue. Some of five banned are even students at Ca' Foscari in Venice.

There were other hints of abuse of power, as photographers, and even a tourist were detained for 6 hours, though not charged. “Day after day, police stations throughout Italy notify specious complaints for crimes not committed, building a narrative that defines those who join climate movements as eco-terrorists, eco-vandals and criminals,” denounces Margherita, one of the people expelled from Venice.

   The three main protesters, who hung from the bridge, received steep sentences, but also some who were rallying and cheering from the sidelines. This all amounts to a clear signal from the Mayor and an Italian Government Minister that they intend to intimidate rebels seeking to raise the alarm in the city - but the sea levels can’t be silenced, and continue to rise, which is the real threat to cities like Venice.

   As part of these actions, on the Naviglio Grande, a "submerged house" appeared among the green colored waters, while activists hung a banner from a bridge with a clear invitation: “rebel!"