Government wants to punish acts of vandalism against works of art.
Italy wants to crack down on climate activists who deface monuments. The Italian Council of Ministers is examining a draft law on Tuesday with severe penalties against people who soil, ruin or deface tourist attractions, according to government circles.
The ordinance aims to prevent acts of vandalism against works of art, such as those committed by environmental activists in recent months. The latest in a long series of incidents occurred in Rome on April 1 when a black liquid was poured into the Bernini Fountain in front of the Spanish Steps.
Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano emphasized that the attack on the fountain in Rome was “the last straw that broke the camel’s back”. “We are faced with systematic vandalism against our artistic and cultural heritage, which has absolutely nothing to do with environmental protection. Those who damage our cultural heritage must not go unpunished, they must be severely punished,” said the minister. He is working on a regulation “that asks those responsible for the damage to pay”.
The blackened fountain in Italy is part of a series of high-profile protests across Europe by activists from the Last Generation group to draw attention to the climate emergency and urge politicians to act faster. Similar actions had been carried out in Florence and Milan, among others. The activists had previously attacked numerous other works of art and cultural sites with paint, mashed potatoes or soup. In addition, members of the group keep getting stuck on the streets, causing traffic delays.