Climate Activists Charged for Vandalizing US Constitution Display with Red Powder
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Two members of the environmental activist group Declare Emergency face charges for pouring red powder on the display case at the US National Archives containing the US Constitution. The Archives’ rotunda was closed for cleaning after the incident, costing over $50,000. Both suspects were arrested, with one released on bond and the other held for violating terms of a previous release. The cases are under investigation by various agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigations’ Art Crime Team.
The US Constitution was undamaged in the attack, with the powder found to be a mix of pigment and cornstarch. Dozens of conservators worked to clean the display case, housing the historic document. Previous actions by Declare Emergency targeted artworks in Washington, DC, as part of eco-vandalism efforts. These actions have drawn attention to climate activism targeting cultural heritage globally. The efficacy of these strategies in conveying environmental urgency remains a topic of discussion. The incident at the National Archives in Washington, DC, has sparked debate over the security of such important documents.
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Elara Voss, graduated from the Royal College of Art in London with a Master’s in Fine Art. She specializes in contemporary sculpture and installation art, exploring themes of nature and human interaction. Elara’s works have been featured in several group exhibitions across Europe, and she is currently working on her first solo show.