In a landmark case highlighting the escalating tension between climate activism and law enforcement, two young members of the environmental group Just Stop Oil have been sentenced to prison for their protest actions at London’s National Gallery.

 

https://twitter.com/i/status/1839670072530317423

 

The Incident and Sentencing

• Phoebe Plummer, 23, and Anna Holland, 22, were convicted of criminal damage for throwing soup on Vincent Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” painting in October 2022.
• Plummer received a two-year sentence, while Holland was given 20 months.
• The activists also glued themselves to the wall beneath the painting during the protest.
• While the painting itself was protected by glass, the frame reportedly suffered £10,000 (over $13,000) in damage.

Judge’s Remarks

Judge Christopher Hehir criticized the protesters’ actions, stating:

• The “cultural treasure” could have been “seriously damaged or even destroyed.”
• The activists “couldn’t have cared less if the painting was damaged or not.”
• Their beliefs do not give them “the right to commit crimes.”

Broader Context

• These sentences are part of a trend of harsh punishments for climate activists in the UK.
• New laws have expanded police and court powers to crack down on disruptive protests, even peaceful ones.
• The UN’s special rapporteur on environmental defenders has criticized these laws as “punitive and repressive.”

Activist Response

• Hours after the sentencing, three more Just Stop Oil activists targeted other Van Gogh paintings at the National Gallery.
• Plummer, representing herself in court, stated she would accept her sentence “with a smile,” framing the issue as one of democratic rights.

Ongoing Debate

The case has intensified the debate over the balance between the right to protest and the protection of public order and cultural heritage. Critics argue that the harsh sentences may infringe on democratic freedoms, while supporters maintain that such actions warrant serious consequences.