Greta Thunberg Banned from Venice Following Grand Canal Dye Protest

Climate Activists Dye Grand Canal Green

Climate activist Greta Thunberg was among dozens of environmental protesters who dyed Venice's iconic Grand Canal a vivid green on Saturday, November 22, 2025. The demonstration, organized by the group Extinction Rebellion, aimed to draw attention to what activists described as 'the massive effects of climate collapse' and 'ecocide'. The protest utilized a non-toxic, environmentally harmless tracer dye, often used in environmental studies to track water movement, which turned the canal waters a bright shade of green.

Protest Actions and Official Response

During the protest, activists, including Thunberg, displayed a banner reading 'stop ecocide' from the historic Rialto Bridge. Some participants also marched through Venice in distinctive red-veiled costumes. In response to the demonstration, Thunberg and approximately 35 other activists were issued a 48-hour ban from Venice and received fines of €150 (or approximately £131 / $172-$173).

Luca Zaia, the Governor of the Veneto region, strongly condemned the action. He stated on social media that 'Vandalism doesn't protect the environment,' and described the act as 'disrespectful' to the city's heritage, history, and fragility, arguing that such actions damage Venice and paradoxically generate pollution through required cleanup efforts.

Wider Context and Coordinated Demonstrations

The Venice protest was part of a coordinated series of demonstrations across Italy. Similar dyeing actions were reported in other major Italian cities, including Milan, Genoa, Bologna, Padua, Palermo, Parma, Trieste, Turin, and Taranto, where activists colored various fountains and waterways.

The timing of these protests coincided with the conclusion of the COP30 United Nations climate conference in Brazil. Activists highlighted Italy's opposition to including robust fossil fuel restrictions in the deal being negotiated at the summit, expressing frustration over the perceived lack of progress on climate action.