politics
U.S. Ambassador Tilman Fertitta arrives in Venice on 117-meter yacht
Hundreds of protesters clashed with riot police in Venice on July 17 after Tilman Fertitta moored his yacht Boardwalk in St. Mark’s Basin. The demonstration targeted the vessel during his Coastal Diplomacy 250 tour of Italian coastal regions.
Jul 17, 5:26 PM·1m read7 sources
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Wealth displayOutreach tour
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U.S. Ambassador to Italy Tilman Fertitta arrived in Venice on July 17 and moored his 117-meter yacht Boardwalk in St. Mark’s Basin. ” Riot police formed a double line to block the march. Demonstrators raised their arms in a peace gesture but were met with shields when they refused to stop.
” at the ambassador, the mayor, and the police. Fertitta’s visit forms part of the Coastal Diplomacy 250 tour across 13 Italian coastal regions that marks the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. Police boats surrounded the yacht, which is equipped with two helipads, swimming pools, and a spa.
Fertitta issued a statement supporting the right to peaceful protest. “I like Italians,” he said. “We Americans respect freedom of speech and the right to peaceful protest. ” Organizer Stella Morion told The Associated Press that the protest opposed the display of wealth in a city dominated by tourism.
She also linked the action to rising energy prices that she attributed to U.S. strikes on Iran. Fertitta is scheduled to attend the Redentore festival in Venice. His tour has already included stops in Sicily and Calabria.
