U.S. Ambassador to Italy Tilman Fertitta arrives in Venice aboard his 117-metre (384-foot) superyacht, Boardwalk, as part of a “Freedom 250 Coastal Diplomacy Tour” marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. Multiple outlets report that a few hundred protesters gather at the lagoon city on Friday to oppose Fertitta and criticize President Donald Trump’s policies. Demonstrators denounce the ambassador’s presence and the wider “superyacht diplomacy” concept, with signs and banners carrying anti-Trump messages. Some protesters also express support for Palestinians, including the display of Palestinian flags. Sources also report that local authorities increase security ahead of one of Venice’s major festivals, and that the heightened security draws criticism from activists. The protests coincide with the start of Fertitta’s stop in Venice during the period when officials are preparing for the festival, according to the reports. One outlet adds that a brief confrontation occurs between protesters and riot police, after which demonstrators continue shouting slogans. Fertitta’s voyage is described as a tour along the Italian coast with multiple planned stops.
Protesters greet U.S. envoy Tilman Fertitta in Venice after superyacht arrival
U.S. Ambassador to Italy Tilman Fertitta arrives in Venice aboard his 117-metre (384-foot) superyacht, Boardwalk, as part of a “Freedom 250 Coastal Diplomacy Tour” marking the 250th anniversary of U.S...
- Tilman Fertitta, U.S. ambassador to Italy, arrives in Venice by superyacht, Boardwalk (117 metres/384 feet).
- Protesters gather in Venice during his arrival and criticize President Donald Trump’s policies.
- The trip is described as a “Freedom 250 Coastal Diplomacy Tour” tied to the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.
- Venice authorities implement heightened security measures ahead of a major upcoming festival, drawing opposition from activists.
- At least one report describes a brief clash between protesters and riot police during the demonstration.
Tilman Fertitta, Texas billionaire and President Donald Trump’s ambassador to Italy, is conducting a two-month tour along the Italian coast on his luxury, 384-foot superyacht, supposedly to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States.The voyage has not been well received.The so-called “Coastal Diplomacy 250” tour, which began last month, has made a handful of its 13 planned stops. But Fertitta’s arrival in Venice on Friday, scheduled to overlap with a major Venetian festival, was all but smooth sailing. The ostentatious display was met with hundreds of protesters.Demonstrators carried a banner stating “Venezia non si USA,” a double entendre combining the acronym USA with the statement “Venice is not to be used.” Organizers made the sign the length of Fertitta’s yacht, they said, to match “the dimensions of his arrogance,” according to the Associated Press.Footage shows demonstrators delivering remarks against the Trump administration for promoting oligarchy, bombing Iran, and supporting genocide in Gaza, among other misdeeds. After a brief clash with riot police, protesters can be heard shouting “Shame!” at the authorities.Protesters carried Palestinian flags, inflatable pool floats, and signs and T-shirts bearing anti-Trump messages. A sampling of those messages included: “Party Yes, American Arrogance No,” “No Kings, No Oligarchs,” “Trump Voters are Illegal Immigrants Here,” “Make America Read Again,” and “We are Not Trump’s Slaves and You Are Not the Emperors of the World.”
3 hours agoU.S. ambassador Tilman Fertitta is facing protests as he arrives in Venice aboard his luxury yacht
5 hours agoBy Manuel SilvestriVENICE, July 17 (Reuters) - U.S. Ambassador to Italy Tilman Fertitta arrived in the lagoon of Venice aboard his superyacht on Friday, drawing protests against President Donald Trump's policies and increased security as the city prepared for one of its most important festivals.Fertitta, a billionaire businessman appointed by Trump, is touring the Italian peninsula aboard his 117-metre (384-foot) yacht, Boardwalk, on a "Freedom 250 Coastal Diplomacy Tour" marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.
6 hours agoBy Manuel SilvestriVENICE, July 17 (Reuters) - A few hundred people in Venice protested on Friday against U.S. Ambassador to Italy Tilman Fertitta as he arrived in the lagoon city aboard his superyacht, drawing criticism of President Donald Trump's policies.Activists also objected to the heightened security measures put in place by local authorities as Venice prepares for one of its most important festivals.
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