Venice Arts Workers to Protest US Ambassador's Superyacht Visit
On Friday, July 17, cultural activists from the Art Not Genocide Alliance (ANGA) will stage a demonstration during the visit of US Ambassador to Italy, Tilman Fertitta, in Venice. The group intends to gather in Campo San Zaccaria to denounce US backing of Israel's actions in Gaza. Fertitta, a billionaire and ally of Trump, will be arriving aboard his 384-foot superyacht as part of a cruise marking the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence. This protest follows ANGA's significant strike at the Venice Biennale on May 8, which resulted in the closure of numerous pavilions. Since 2024, ANGA has opposed Israel's involvement in the Biennale, with over 22,000 supporters signing an open letter. ANGA declared: "We refuse the cultural normalisation of genocide."
Key facts
- Protest on July 17 during US Ambassador Tilman Fertitta's visit to Venice.
- Organized by Art Not Genocide Alliance (ANGA).
- Fertitta is a billionaire Trump ally and US Ambassador to Italy.
- His 384-foot superyacht is part of a cruise for the 250th anniversary of US independence.
- ANGA's protest is in Campo San Zaccaria.
- ANGA cites US arming and financing Israel's actions in Palestine.
- Previous ANGA strike on May 8, 2026, was first in Venice Biennale's 131-year history.
- ANGA also joined a national cultural strike on June 12, 2026.
- Over 22,000 signed ANGA's 2024 open letter opposing Israel's Biennale participation.
- 240 Biennale artists and arts workers sought to overturn Israel's inclusion in 2026.
Entities
Artists
- Giulia Cacopardo
Institutions
- Art Not Genocide Alliance (ANGA)
- Venice Biennale
- Arsenale
- US Embassy and Consulates in Italy
- Israel Pavilion
- ANGA – Art Not Genocide Alliance
- La Biennale di Venezia
- The Guardian
- Venezia non si Usa
- Laboratorio Occupato Morion
- exibart.es
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Campo San Zaccaria
- United States
- Israel
- Palestine
- Gaza
- Church of San Zaccaria
- Cefalù
- Giardini
- Arsenale