US Ambassador to Italy Tilman Fertitta arrived in Venice on July 17 aboard his 117-meter superyacht "Boardwalk" as part of the Freedom 250 Coastal Diplomacy Tour marking the 250th anniversary of US Independence [1, 2, 3, 4].
Approximately 300 protesters gathered at Venice's Riva dei Sette Martiri waterfront to oppose Fertitta's visit, chanting slogans against US Middle East policies and demanding his departure [2, 4]. Police deployed masked units to protect the vessel, resulting in brief clashes with demonstrators [1, 2, 3, 4].
Protesters voiced solidarity with Palestinians and accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, linking Fertitta’s visit to support for military actions there [2, 4]. Opposition politicians and activists criticized the tour as an unnecessary burden on taxpayers, citing extensive security costs involving the navy, coast guard, and police [2, 3, 4].
Some critics framed Fertitta’s visit as symbolic of former President Trump's policies. An organizer of protests at the Morion social centre said, "我們將費爾蒂塔視為川普政策的代表；川普的政策正助長衝突、支持以色列在加薩的軍事行動，並加劇全球經濟不穩定及物價上漲," meaning they view Fertitta as representing Trump-era policies that fuel conflict, economic instability, and rising prices [2]. Another protest organizer described the visit as "傲慢是特朗普政治的產物," or "a product of Trump’s arrogance" [3].
Some protesters also criticized the visit as an insult to Venetians facing economic hardship, drawing parallels to Jeff Bezos' lavish wedding held in Venice last year [2, 3, 4].
The arrival and protests both took place on July 17, 2026, marking a tense day in Venice surrounding the Freedom 250 Coastal Diplomacy Tour [2, 3, 4].
