First appearance on Fox: Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) wants to increase fines by creating harsher penalties for climate change activists who destroy historic art or damage museum property. thinking.
The Climate Vandalism Impact Act, introduced in the Senate on Wednesday, would also apply to the grounds and property of the National Museum of Art, the Smithsonian Institution, the Kennedy Center, and other institutions, and would increase the maximum prison sentence from five years to 20 years. Ten.
The outcome would mirror Britain’s current maximum prison sentences, where climate change activists frequently cling to works of art or throw soup or other liquids into the protective cases of works in museums.
“The destruction of historic works of art should not be tolerated,” Vance said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “Apparently, a maximum sentence of five years in prison is not enough to prevent far-left protesters from defacing culturally significant exhibits.”
He added: “Let’s see if they’re still that bold in 10 years.”
Climate change activists take a hammer to famous painting at London Museum of Art
Senator J.D. Vance attends a hearing of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee on June 22, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Nathan Howard/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
In May, two protesters were indicted for soiling paint on the case of a famous Degas sculpture at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., just a month earlier.
At the time, an activist group known as the “State of Emergency” posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that they wanted to send a message about climate change.
“Around 11 a.m. today, two parents fearful for the future of their children (and all children) released a statement at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. If we don’t act now, climate change will cause famine, floods, drought and destruction,” the post said. read.
Black money fund funneled millions to environmentalist group that blocked highways and destroyed famous art
Climate change activists disrupt EU energy conference in Brussels, Belgium. (Screenshot/@WeSmellGas | Instagram)
Stop it, oil protesters disrupt ‘Les Mis’ performance in London, called ‘stupid people’ by angry crowd
Last month, during a protest at the National Gallery of Art, climate activists from the same group daubed red paint on an exhibit honoring African-American regiments that fought during the Civil War.
Activists vandalized a wall in the West Gallery of the Washington, D.C. Museum, which houses the Shaw 54th Regiment Memorial, officials told FOX News Digital at the time. The activist used red paint to write “Honour Them,” explaining that President Biden could honor Black Civil War soldiers by declaring a climate emergency.
“We should honor them by continuing their work,” the activists said in a statement. “So I say, with all due respect to Joe Biden, ‘Joe Biden must declare a climate emergency.’ Because the majority of the people who would be like the American soldiers were the 54th Massachusetts. ”
Last month, two climate change activists smashed the protective glass of a famous painting in London with a hammer, calling on Britain to halt all new oil and gas projects in the country. Both were arrested According to reports, he was indicted Suspected of causing injury.
FOX News’ Thomas Catenacci contributed to this report.
