Introduction

A climate protestor recently made headlines by painting a demand for climate action on a wall near a Civil War exhibit at the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. The protester, identified by the climate activist group Declare Emergency as Geor Green, aimed to draw attention to the urgent need for President Joe Biden to declare a climate emergency.

A Plea in Red: “Honor Them”

Clad in red and lavender purple shirts, Geor Green painted the words “Honor Them” on the wall adjacent to the sculpture of The Shaw 54th Regiment Memorial (1900). The 17-foot-long patinated plaster monument by Augustus Saint-Gaudens commemorates the efforts of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw and the Massachusetts 54th, one of the first Civil War regiments of African Americans in the North.

Protestor’s Motivation: Climate Emergency’s Disproportionate Impact

Green’s act of “strict, non-violent civil disobedience” took place at Saint-Gaudens’ sculpture, as he emphasized the disproportionate impact of the climate emergency on communities resembling the soldiers of the Massachusetts 54th. He expressed concerns about the potential displacement of people due to wildfires and economic challenges, particularly affecting Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color.

Urgent Message: Climate Change’s Threat to Basic Needs

In his statement published by Declare Emergency on Facebook, Green underscored his worries about climate change affecting access to food, especially among the most vulnerable families. Drawing from his experience working with unhoused individuals in Salt Lake City, he highlighted the over-representation of the poorest families in Black and Indigenous communities, making urgent action imperative.

No Art Harmed: Investigation Underway

While confirming Green’s arrest, the National Gallery of Art assured that no works of art were harmed during the incident. Anabeth Guthrie, a museum spokesperson, stated that the staff worked diligently to clean the wall, and the gallery was reopened promptly on Wednesday. The incident is currently under investigation.

Repeat Offense: Climate Protests at the National Gallery

This marks the second climate protest at the National Gallery of Art associated with Declare Emergency in 2023. In April, two protestors targeted Edgar Degas’s sculpture Little Dancer Aged Fourteen, smearing black and red paint on the pedestal and protective case. Subsequently charged with offenses against the United States and damage to museum property, these incidents highlight the growing intersection of activism and cultural institutions in addressing the climate crisis.

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Activism Meets Art: A Critical Examination of Climate Protests and Their Impact on Cultural Heritage