Ultima Generazione activists deface Palazzo Vecchio facade in Florence climate protest

Climate activists from Ultima Generazione targeted the facade of Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, dousing it with orange washable paint in broad daylight on a day when Mayor Dario Nardella was inspecting the Arengario with restorers. Nardella personally intervened to stop the action, and cleanup began immediately, requiring 5,000 liters of water. The mayor condemned the act, stating that attacks on art and culture can never justify a cause. Italian Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano also denounced the protest as pure vandalism, announcing plans to strengthen sanctions and make perpetrators pay for cleanup costs. The protest follows similar actions at the Tuscan regional government palace and the Florence office of the Ministry of Economy. Meanwhile, on March 25 in Milan, directors of Italian museums and spokespersons from Ultima Generazione and Fridays for Future are scheduled to meet at the fair Fa' la cosa giusta to seek common ground between environmental activism and cultural institutions.