Climate Activists Sentenced for Defacing U.S. Constitution Display

Overview

• Donald Zepeda and Jackson Green were sentenced to 24 months and 18 months in prison, respectively, for dumping red powder on the U.S. Constitution's display case in February 2024.
• The vandalism, which caused over $58,000 in damages and closed the National Archives Rotunda for four days, was part of a protest by the climate activist group Declare Emergency.
• Both activists pleaded guilty to felony destruction of property and were ordered to pay restitution, complete community service, and avoid Washington, D.C., as well as all U.S. museums.
• Jackson Green also admitted to defacing the Shaw 54th Regiment Memorial in November 2023, while Zepeda has a history of involvement in other acts of eco-vandalism, including damage to a Degas sculpture exhibit.
• The presiding judge criticized their actions as ineffective and disconnected from climate advocacy, emphasizing that such vandalism undermines their stated cause.