Source: Fortune
Summary
Protesters in Venice clashed with police as they demonstrated against the arrival of US Ambassador to Italy, Tilman Fertitta, who is on a “coastal diplomacy” tour to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence. Fertitta, a billionaire hospitality mogul, arrived in Venice on his 117-meter luxury yacht, which was met with signs reading “Venezia non si USA” and “Make America Read Again”. Protesters were opposed to Fertitta’s arrival, citing concerns over American wealth and influence, as well as President Donald Trump’s international politics. The protest was peaceful, but police pushed back with shields when demonstrators refused to stop.
Our Reading
The strategy enters a familiar phase.
Tilman Fertitta’s luxury yacht, Boardwalk, is a symbol of American wealth and influence, but for protesters, it’s a reminder of the city’s struggles with tourism and gentrification. The “coastal diplomacy” tour is meant to celebrate American independence, but it’s also a display of power and privilege. Fertitta’s statement supporting the right to protest rings hollow when his yacht is the embodiment of the very issues protesters are fighting against. The image of an ambassador sailing the Italian coast in an act of diplomacy may be novel, but it’s also a reminder of the complex web of power and influence that underlies international relations.
Numbers tell one story, but the sight of a six-story yacht towering over neighboring buildings tells another.
Author: Evan Null
