Key facts
- Venice protesters plan to disrupt US Ambassador Tilman Fertitta's visit with his superyacht.
- The visit is scheduled for July 17 as part of a "Coastal Diplomacy 250" tour.
- Activists fear the yacht will dock in the historical center during the Festa del Redentore, obstructing local traditions.
- Concerns include the yacht's size, potential safety risks, and the perceived arrogance of wealthy visitors.
- Fertitta is an entertainment mogul and helped fund Donald Trump's presidential campaign.
Protesters in Venice are planning to disrupt the upcoming visit of US Ambassador to Italy, Tilman Fertitta, and his 117-meter superyacht, Boardwalk. The activists fear the yacht's presence will interfere with the Festa del Redentore, a major local festival, and symbolize the city's struggle against wealthy tourism.
Activists, including researcher Stella Faye and cultural coordinator Giulia Cacopardo, expressed concerns that the yacht's size and ostentatious nature would obstruct views and highlight the disparity between wealthy visitors and the city's declining quality of life. They drew parallels to the disruption of Jeff Bezos's wedding last year, suggesting a similar welcome for the ambassador.
Fertitta's visit, scheduled for July 17, is part of a tour he calls "Coastal Diplomacy 250" to celebrate US-Italy ties and the 250th anniversary of US independence. The protesters are using the slogan "Venezia non si USA" ("Stop using Venice"), criticizing Fertitta's role in what they term the "warmongering and colonialist" Trump administration. Fertitta, an entertainment mogul who owns the NBA team Houston Rockets and helped fund Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, has an estimated net worth of $14.2 billion.
Concerns were also raised about safety, with fears that local police resources would be diverted to protect the ambassador and manage boat traffic, potentially impacting the smooth running of the Festa del Redentore for residents. The Festa del Redentore, held annually on the third weekend of July, commemorates the end of a 16th-century plague and features a large firework display.