Pro-Palestine Procession Kicks Off in Venice: 700 Demonstrators Arrive by Ship from Marghera Amid Venice Film Festival – Live Updates
Venice, Italy – August 30, 2025 – Amid the glitz and glamour of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, a powerful pro-Palestine demonstration has begun on the Lido di Venezia, drawing hundreds of activists chanting “Palestina Libera” (Free Palestine). Organized by northeast Italy’s social centers in collaboration with the Venice ANPI “7 Martiri” circle, the procession—titled “Stop the Genocide – March for Palestine”—started gathering around 4 p.m. local time at the Santa Maria Elisabetta pier. Approximately 700 to 800 demonstrators arrived via a chartered motonave (motor vessel) from Porto Marghera, swelling the ranks of local participants and setting the stage for a symbolic march toward the Palazzo del Cinema, the heart of the ongoing film festival.
The event, which coincides with the festival’s high-profile screenings and red-carpet events, underscores growing calls for cultural institutions to address the ongoing conflict in Gaza. As of 5 p.m., the crowd had assembled in the piazzale di Santa Maria Elisabetta, where activists placed hundreds of paper boats on the ground adorned with Palestinian flags—a poignant symbol of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The procession is scheduled to depart at 5 p.m., proceeding along the Gran Viale toward the festival grounds, aiming to highlight solidarity with Palestine without disrupting scheduled events. Organizers emphasize a peaceful approach, but heightened security is in place given the festival’s international spotlight.
Live Broadcast and Key Developments
While no single official live stream is available from organizers (as the event is grassroots-led), real-time coverage is being provided by Italian media outlets. Here’s a summary of ongoing updates based on reports from La Stampa, LaPresse, and ANSA, with links to their live feeds where available:
- 4:00 p.m. – Arrival of the Ship: The motonave docked at Santa Maria Elisabetta shortly after 4 p.m., unloading around 800 participants from Veneto and surrounding regions. Videos show crowds waving Palestinian flags and banners reading “Free Palestine” and “Stop the Genocide.” LaPresse captured footage of the disembarkation, available here.
- 4:30 p.m. – Concentration and Symbolism: Demonstrators gathered in the square, adding paper boats to the pavement as a tribute to Gaza’s children. Portavoce Martina Vergnano of the social centers addressed the crowd, stating, “We are here to demand an end to the genocide and for cultural spaces like the Biennale to take a stand.” ANSA reports hundreds of adhesions from political groups, associations, and even the film world. Live text updates from La Stampa can be followed here, including photos of the assembly.
- 5:00 p.m. – March Underway: The corteo (procession) has commenced, moving from the pier along the main avenue. Chants of “Palestina Libera” echo as participants carry signs protesting Israel’s actions in Gaza. No incidents reported so far, with police monitoring to ensure safety. Rainews notes the event’s alignment with broader Venice4Palestine appeals, which have garnered support from film industry figures. For video updates, check RaiNews live coverage here.
- Ongoing Coverage: As the march progresses toward the Palazzo del Cinema (expected arrival around 6 p.m.), expect potential interactions with festival-goers. ANSA’s photo gallery and live blog is updating in real-time here. Social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), is abuzz with participant posts under #Venice4Palestine and #FreePalestine, though no centralized live stream has emerged yet.
Background and Context
This demonstration builds on escalating pro-Palestine activism in Venice, tied to the Biennale and Film Festival. The Venice4Palestine collective issued an open letter on August 22, urging the festival to condemn the Gaza conflict and exclude Israeli-linked artists—prompting responses like the absence of actress Gal Gadot from a screening. Festival director Alberto Barbera rejected calls for censorship, stating, “We are a space for debate, not exclusion.” Organizers, including social centers from Veneto, frame the march as a call to “stop the genocide,” with hundreds of endorsements from political and cinematic circles. The ship from Marghera was organized to facilitate access for those outside Venice, emphasizing inclusivity.
The event occurs against the festival’s star-studded backdrop, including premieres like Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein and Yorgos Lanthimos’s Bugonia. While peaceful, it highlights tensions between cultural celebration and global politics, echoing similar protests at past Biennales (e.g., 2024 demonstrations outside the Israeli Pavilion).
Stay tuned for further updates as the procession advances. For safety, authorities advise festival attendees to monitor official channels. If you’re in Venice, expect minor disruptions around the Lido area.
Sources: La Stampa, LaPresse, ANSA, RaiNews