Activists Target Historic Document in Dramatic Environmental Justice Protest

Close-up of U.S. Constitution, "We the People".

Climate activists have sparked outrage by targeting one of America’s most treasured symbols, the U.S. Constitution, with a dramatic protest.

At a Glance

  • Jackson Green sentenced to 18 months in prison for vandalism.
  • Red powder protest led to temporary closure of National Archives.
  • Activists aimed to highlight the urgency of environmental justice.
  • National Archives described vandalism as an assault on American values.

Protesters Target the Constitution

Jackson Green and Donald Zepeda used red powdered paint to vandalize the display casing of the U.S. Constitution, causing alarm at the National Archives. Their actions, intended as a call for environmental justice, triggered an immediate response due to initial concerns about the substance. Staff at the Archives closed the rotunda temporarily for cleanup to assure no damage occurred to the historical document.

Green admitted guilt and faced significant legal repercussions, receiving an 18-month prison term, along with supervised release and an obligation to pay $50,000 in restitution. Meanwhile, Zepeda’s sentencing is scheduled, as the legal process against them progresses.

Impacts and Repercussions

The chosen method of protest did not physically harm the Constitution but did interrupt access to an important piece of American history due to necessary cleaning. Despite their bold actions, both Green and Zepeda justify their criminal deeds by referencing their belief in universal rights to clean air, water, and climate. This act, however, drew sharp criticism, especially from National Archives leadership, who likened it to previous attacks involving hazardous substances.

“Enshrined in the Rotunda at the heart of the building are the original founding charters of the United States of America – the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. These documents are the physical embodiment of our nation’s core principles and symbolize what it means to be an American.”

According to U.S. Archivist Colleen Shogan, the activists’ decision inflicted emotional distress on employees and visitors and symbolically assaulted the collective values that these historical documents represent. The importance of safeguarding such essential national symbols was further emphasized as the nation witnessed this polarizing incident.

A Broader Debate on Environmental Justice

The incident opens a broader debate on how far individuals might go to raise awareness about environmental issues. Both activists claim their actions were not malicious but rather a necessary step in advocating for environmental rights often ignored in mainstream discourse. Still, their dramatic approach raises questions about the methods and boundaries of activism as it relates to the protection of sacred national symbols.

“So when Donald Zepeda and Jackson Green conspired together on Valentine’s Day to defile the encasement of the Constitution, they were not just vandalizing a material object. Rather, they intentionally and willfully assaulted our shared past and the beliefs which unite us as Americans.” – U.S. Archivist Colleen Shogan

This incident serves as a wake-up call about the fine line between activism and respect for national heritage, prompting discussions on how best to balance passionate calls for justice and preserving unity with American values.

Sources

1. Activist who attempted to vandalize US Constitution sentenced to 18 months in prison

2. Statement at the Sentencing for the Perpetrators of Vandalism to the National Archives

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