Sanremo, Italy – Thirteen people were removed by police from the Sanremo Festival on February 24, 2026, following a protest by Extinction Rebellion on the blue carpet of the Teatro Ariston.

The protesters had displayed banners and been recording the events when they were detained in the ENI promotional area. Police held them for identification, but Extinction Rebellion says the detentions were illegitimate, as all individuals had promptly shown their identification.

Videos show officers responding to repeated questions about their legal status with statements such as, “You have no rights when you are in police detention,” and “If it is not a right we will see later, not now.” After more than six hours, the last person was released.

All 13 received mandatory removal orders from Sanremo, lasting one to three years, and were cited for unauthorized demonstration and failing to comply with authority. The movement criticized the use of this measure, traditionally reserved for serious crimes, as undermining the constitutional right to free movement.

The new security decree, approved the same night, imposes fines ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 euros for unapproved protests or disturbing public events. Extinction Rebellion warned that these measures severely restrict peaceful dissent, calling on President Sergio Mattarella to defend democratic rights.

Despite the festival’s portrayal as a reflection of Italian society, protesters said their attempt to highlight the climate crisis was blocked at the entrance, emphasizing growing limits on public protest.

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