A U.S. District Court recently handed down prison sentences to two climate activists for their disruptive actions at the National Archives, where they poured red powder over the display case protecting the original United States Constitution. This act, which occurred on February 14, 2024, was part of their efforts to draw attention to the urgent crisis of climate change, according to their statements.
The activists, Donald Zepeda, 35, from Maryland, and Jackson "Kroegeor" Green, 27, from Utah, were sentenced to 24 months and 18 months respectively. This decision highlights the severe legal consequences associated with vandalism intended as protests. Prosecutors described their actions as felonies involving destruction of government property, leading to significant cleanup costs exceeding $58,000 and the temporary closure of the museum’s rotunda.
On the day of the incident, none of the Constitutions was damaged, but the use of the fine red powder generated alarm among staff and visitors about the potential hazard of the substance. Certain court documents indicated the event created substantial disruption within the National Archives.
This was not the first time Zepeda and Green found themselves entangled with the law. Prior to this event, Zepeda had already gained attention for similar demonstrations. He was accused of planning previous actions, including another attack at the National Gallery of Art where he filmed fellow activists defacing Edgar Degas's "Little Dancer Aged Fourteen" exhibit. This attack occurred on April 27, 2023, and involved the smear of red paint on the display case as well.
According to court testimonies, Zepeda purchased the red paint used at both incidents and even conducted training sessions for other activists interested in participating. The group they belong to, Declare Emergency, has focused on using disruptive tactics to galvanize public awareness surrounding legislative inertia on climate issues. Their philosophy seems to be rooted in making the dire reality of climate change impossible to ignore.
Interestingly, their supporters argue these actions are necessary to provoke significant conversations about climate change and challenge governmental stagnation on environmental policy. Just before Green’s sentencing, Declare Emergency released a statement asserting the judges’ rulings were disconnected from the real climate crisis facing humanity, asserting the activists acted on behalf of humanity itself to dramatize the negligence of global leaders.
Green had already faced legal repercussions previously, having been charged for writing the phrase "Honor Them" on the memorial dedicated to Black Civil War soldiers, indicating a pattern of confrontational activism.
Despite the severe penalties imposed by the court, those involved seem to retain hope for increased awareness surrounding the climate movement. A spokesperson for Declare Emergency stated such sentences could shed light on broader environmental issues, emphasizing the potential for increased urgency and discussion among the general public. They see the escalation of civil disobedience as necessary to amplify actions against the backdrop of climate emergencies, maintaining any fallout would heighten public consciousness around this subject.
The sentencing has generated various reactions from the public and officials. Many expressed sympathy for the activists, particularly among environmentalist communities, believing their intentions, though misdirected, were fundamentally to draw attention to what they see as an existential crisis.
On the flip side, law enforcement and legal officials maintain the importance of upholding the law and protecting national artifacts from vandalism, no matter the intent. They argue such destructive actions can undermine legitimate efforts to advocate for climate policy reforms.
While the appeal for reform continues to echo through the activist community, the legal repercussions of such high-profile acts remain clear: the vandalism led to criminal charges, resulting in prison time, community service, and court-ordered restitution.
The court's imposition of supervised release indicates close monitoring of both Zepeda's and Green’s actions post-incarceration, reinforcing the message to potential future activists participating in disruptive protests. They have been banned from entering all DC public museums and any national memorials across the country for the duration of their supervised sentences.
This case has not only sparked dialogue around environmental activism but also foregrounded the complex relationship between civil disobedience and the legal system. It remains to be seen whether, through legal action, society might shift perspectives on climate activism, encouraging productive discourse without resorting to illegal means.
