Washington Post Notified Before DC Climate Activist Attack

The Washington Post was tipped off ahead of an act of vandalism in April by climate activists who targeted a famous sculpture in Washington D.C., according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Officials revealed Friday that the liberal outlet had advance knowledge that 53-year-old Joanna Smith of New York City and 54-year-old Timothy Martin of North Carolina intended to attack the artwork. 

The case containing the sculpture “Little Dancer, Age Fourteen” by Edgar Degas in the National Gallery of Art was smeared with paint.

The DOJ did not name the Post in the indictment but indicated the paper was notified of the plan before capturing it on video.

In the Friday release, authorities said “members of the conspiracy had alerted the Washington Post, and two reporters from the Post recorded and photographed the offense.” It was also filmed by other conspiracy participants, according to the DOJ.

The alleged vandals are charged with conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and with attacking the piece. Each count carries up to five years in prison if convicted.

Video showed the pair painting the pedestal with their hands and smearing an unhappy face. Then those in the gallery saw the protesters wipe their paint-covered hands on the protective glass.

The director of the National Gallery of Art, Kaywin Feldman, was not amused. In a statement, she declared “we unequivocally denounce this physical attack on one of our works of art and will continue to share information as it becomes available.”

After defacing the famous artwork, the two sat and began lecturing stunned onlookers about the climate.

Smith told the gathering that “we need leaders to take serious action, to tell us the truth about what’s happening with the climate.” Martin added that “for our children we are worried like most Americans about climate and about the biodiversity crisis.”

The alleged vandals are part of the group Declare Emergency. They have committed such notorious acts as blocking D.C. roadways and protesting at the 2022 congressional baseball game to draw attention to the “climate emergency.”

The sculpture was removed from display for 10 days for repairs. The attack is part of a broader global effort by climate activists to target famous artworks to gain attention. Tomato soup was recently thrown at Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” masterpiece.