Introduction
In an audacious display of civil disobedience aimed at highlighting the urgency of the global climate crisis, two members of the climate action group Declare Emergency found themselves under arrest following a dramatic protest at the National Archives. On February 14, amidst the historical confines of the rotunda that houses the revered original copy of the U.S. Constitution, these activists used red dust in a symbolic act to draw attention to their demands for significant governmental action against climate change.
The Incident Unfolds
Protest and Immediate Repercussions
The activists, affiliated with Declare Emergency—a group advocating for the U.S. President to officially declare a climate emergency—staged their protest by dousing themselves and the protective encasement of the Constitution with red dust. Their dramatic act prompted an immediate evacuation of the Archives’ rotunda by security personnel, followed by the arrest of the protestors by officers from the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. The group’s actions underline their belief that a declaration of a climate emergency by President Joe Biden would expedite the transition to clean energy, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and signal the severity of the climate crisis to the American public.
Responses and Statements
The protest did not leave the Constitution damaged, although it necessitated the rotunda’s closure for cleaning and assessment. The United States Archivist, Colleen Shogan, strongly condemned the protest, emphasizing the sanctity of the National Archives Rotunda as home to the country’s foundational documents. Shogan advocated for the legal system to impose the maximum penalty on the protestors, reflecting the gravity with which such acts of vandalism are regarded. Meanwhile, one of the protesters articulated their vision of climate action as fundamental to the rights enshrined in the Constitution, advocating for environmental justice as an extension of the country’s core values.
Broader Implications and Reactions
Impact and Philosophy Behind the Protest
The protest is part of a broader strategy employed by Declare Emergency, inspired by similar tactics used by climate organizations in Europe. These acts are designed to capture the attention of political leaders and the public, provoking debate and discussion around the climate crisis. The group’s mobilization coordinator highlighted previous actions, like the protest involving an Edgar Degas sculpture, as examples of how such provocative demonstrations can generate global coverage yet often fail to ignite substantive discourse on their underlying cause.
Future Directions and Strategy
Despite facing public and legal backlash, the members of Declare Emergency remain steadfast in their resolve to intensify their campaign. They argue that the escalating severity of the climate crisis necessitates increasingly disruptive protests to break through public apathy and political inertia. The activists believe that only by conveying a sense of desperation and urgency can they hope to galvanize action on a scale and pace commensurate with the challenges posed by global warming. The actions and motivations of these protestors underscore a growing trend in environmental activism: the willingness to court controversy and legal consequences in pursuit of greater awareness and policy change.
