Protesters in Venice, Italy, clashed with police on Friday evening over the arrival of US Ambassador to Italy Tilman Fertitta’s $450 million mega yacht, Boardwalk, during the city’s annual Redentore festival.

Protests and Police Response

Around 300 protesters, holding signs that read ‘Venice is not for sale’ and insulting US President Donald Trump, were met with riot police who pushed back against those trying to reach the ambassador’s ship. Some protesters threw inflatable pool toys at police, while others used megaphones to yell insults at the American administration.

Daniele Giordano, secretary of the CGIL union in Venice, stated that it was ‘a disgrace’ that Venice was welcoming Fertitta’s mega yacht during the festival, and that its presence ‘represents the exact opposite of our idea of environmental and social sustainability.’

One demonstrator, Emanuele Lepore, expressed concern that the city was being sold out to billionaires, emphasizing the struggle to preserve public spaces and services.

Ambassador’s Diplomacy Efforts

Ambassador Fertitta, a close ally and donor to President Trump, has been cruising around Italy with his family and staff on his private yacht as part of a ‘coastal diplomacy’ effort to celebrate the United States’ 250th anniversary. His plans include meeting with local business leaders, celebrities, and Americans at each of the 13 ports on his itinerary.

The US embassy has not publicly commented on the protests, but a spokesperson for Italy’s Foreign Ministry stated that the coastal diplomacy was working, despite tense relations between President Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.