The artist-led activist group Art Not Genocide Alliance (ANGA) has called for a pro-Palestine rally in Venice on July 17, timed to coincide with US ambassador Tilman Fertitta’s visit to the city.

Announced on July 7 through Instagram, the demonstration will take place at Campo San Zaccaria, a square adjacent to the Church of San Zaccaria, near the waterfront where the ambassador’s yacht will dock. The trip is part of Fertitta’s “Freedom 250 Coastal Diplomacy” tour, during which he will cruise along Italy’s coastline to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence. In a statement to the US embassy and consulates in Italy, Fertitta said he is looking forward to celebrating what has “linked [the US and Italy] for generations,” including, in his words, “the story of [his] own Italian roots in Cefalù.” 

Framing the strike as a “protest against Fertitta,” ANGA wrote: “We refuse the cultural normalization of genocide. We refuse the militarization of our cities. We refuse the capture of Venice by oligarchs, war profiteers, and the representatives of imperial power. . . . [O]ur message remains the same: no business as usual with genocide.” The post concludes with a slogan: “FREE PALESTINE. VENEZIA NON SI USA.” 

The planned campaign echoes ANGA’s longstanding opposition to the US and Israeli war on Gaza. In May, the group initiated two strikes during the 61st Venice Biennale’s preview week and public opening, causing dozens of national pavilions—including that of Israel—to temporarily shut their doors. Many of the protesters were among the roughly 200 artists, curators, and cultural professionals who signed ANGA’s open letter published this March, demanding Israel’s exclusion from the exhibition. The number of signatories has since then risen to 240. A similar petition in 2024 resulted in the closure of the Israel Pavilion throughout the 60th Venice Biennale.

Following the resignation of its international jury, the rollout of the Visitor Lions, and the subsequent artists’ boycott, this year’s Biennale marks one of the most politically fraught editions in recent history. 

Joyce Lee is an editorial intern at ArtAsiaPacific.