Climate Activists Sentenced for Defacing U.S. Constitution Display

Two members of Declare Emergency receive prison terms for vandalism aimed at raising awareness about climate change.

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.