On Friday, hundreds of protesters in Venice greeted the arrival of US Ambassador to Italy Tilman Fertitta aboard the 117-meter luxury yacht Boardwalk with inflatable water toys, beach balls, and signs reading 'Venezia non si USA' — a pun meaning 'Venice is not to be used.' The demonstration, organized by local activists, quickly escalated into a brief confrontation with riot police as demonstrators approached the vessel moored in St. Mark's Basin.
Fertitta's visit is part of a so-called Coastal Diplomacy 250 tour, a 13-region journey along Italy's coastline marking the 250th anniversary of American independence. The ambassador described the trip in a social media post as a celebration of 'our shared history, our economic partnership, and the cultural bonds that make the U.S.-Italy relationship so special.' Yet for many Venetians, the sight of a superyacht equipped with two helipads, two swimming pools, and a spa symbolized a more troubling trend.
Clashes and Criticism
Protesters raised their hands to show they were peaceful as they approached a double line of riot police. Officers pushed them back with shields after demonstrators refused to stop, while inflatable toys were thrown through the air. Following the brief clash, the crowd shouted 'Shame!' at the ambassador, the mayor, and the police. Organizer Stella Morion told The Associated Press: 'It's arrogant to think he can do what he wants in a city that is ever more sold to the single culture of tourism.'
Morion also linked the protest to broader opposition to President Donald Trump's international politics, including US strikes on Iran, which she said have prompted a spike in energy prices. 'It is the umpteenth slap in the face of a city and all of the people in Venice who struggle to reach the end of the month due to an increase in prices caused by Trump's war,' she added. The protest comes amid ongoing concerns about the impact of US foreign policy on European economies, a theme that has resonated across the continent in recent months.
Fertitta issued a short statement supporting the right to protest. 'I like Italians, we Americans respect freedom of speech and the right to peaceful protest; Coastal Diplomacy celebrates our nation's founding and these fundamental rights,' he said. The ambassador's yacht, which features two helipads and a fully equipped spa, has drawn criticism for its ostentatious display of wealth at a time when many Italians see the Trump administration as upending the post-World War II international order.
Broader European Context
The Venice protest is part of a wider pattern of European discontent with American foreign policy and economic influence. In recent weeks, Ukrainians have staged rare wartime protests over political decisions, while the EU has signed a tripartite deal to boost energy storage in response to rising prices. The spike in energy costs linked to US strikes on Iran has hit Italian households hard, with Venice — a city already grappling with overtourism and rising living costs — feeling the pinch acutely.
The protest also highlights tensions around tourism and cultural preservation in Venice. The city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has long struggled with the effects of mass tourism, and the arrival of a superyacht owned by a US ambassador has reignited debates about the commercialization of public spaces. Greece, Italy, and Malta are leading a surge in European tourism growth in 2026, but critics argue that such growth often benefits wealthy visitors at the expense of local residents.
As the Coastal Diplomacy 250 tour continues, the Venice protest serves as a reminder that not all Italians welcome the display of American power and wealth. For many, the ambassador's yacht is a symbol of a broader disconnect between the US administration and the concerns of ordinary Europeans. The protest, with its creative signs and peaceful defiance, underscores a growing sentiment that Venice — and Europe — should not be treated as a playground for the global elite.
