The National Archives Museum, the keeper of America’s many valued historical documents, has been closed for three consecutive day following a protest by two climate activists. The activists, identified as Donald Zepeda and Jackson Green, targeted the U.S. Constitution display with pink powder, leading to charges of defacing and destroying federal property.
On Feb. 14, Green — a member of the Declare Emergency climate change awareness campaign — expressed their motivations.
“We’re calling for all people to have all these rights, not just wealthy white men. We all deserve clean air, water, food and a livable climate,” Green said.
Zepeda echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the urgency of their cause.
“We don’t want our children to have to live through the end of civilization, but that’s the trend we’re currently on,” Zepeda said.
Despite the dramatic protest, officials confirmed that the historic document remains unharmed and locked away for safety. The substance thrown by the protesters was analyzed and found to be a mixture of pink pigment and cornstarch, chosen for its visibility.
The cleanup and inspection of the aftermath are estimated to cost the National Archives Department more than $15,000, according to court documents.
The National Archives has condemned the act of vandalism, working closely with federal law enforcement to hold the perpetrators accountable.
“The National Archives is working with federal law enforcement agencies to ensure the perpetrators are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” the official statement read.
Following his arrest, Green told investigators of their demands for the president.
“President Joe Biden must immediately declare a formal state of climate emergency…to save the country from collapse,” Green said.
Investigations revealed that Zepeda and Green were participating in Declare Emergency’s Valentine’s week event, “Love in Action,” designed to highlight environmental concerns. The campaign has previously organized several non-violent protests across the United States.
Reports indicate that Zepeda was arrested the day before the National Archives incident during another “Love in Action” protest that caused a 6-mile traffic jam on the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
Green’s arrest record for climate activism predates this incident. Last year, he vandalized a memorial at the National Gallery of Art dedicated to a notable African American Civil War unit.
As a consequence of Wednesday’s events, Metro Police have now barred Green from entering Washington, D.C., with exceptions only for legal proceedings.
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