Eight climate activists were arrested by police around 11:00 am after dumping vegetable charcoal in the Trevi Fountain, turning the water black, according to UPI News.
Video of the incident shows the activists waist-deep in the water holding containers which contained diluted vegetable charcoal. Members of the group then poured the charcoal into the famous fountain while others held anti-climate change banners in the background.
Last Generation released a statement defending their actions and stated that the charcoal "caused no damage to the fountain" and was used to "symbolize the need for an end to fossil fuels."
The Mayor of Rome Roberto Gualtieri condemned the protest in a statement on Facebook and said the activists severely damaged the fountain which will now have to undergo a "complex cleanining operation that will cost a lot of work."
"This is not the right way to conduct a battle for the environment and against climate change," Gualtieri said on Facebook.
"Such gestures are completely wrong and damaging, because they risk damaging precious common goods such as our monuments, and force public administrations into very expensive and environmentally impactful restoration interventions. So they are completely counterproductive."
This is a breaking story and will be updated.
