The National Archive remained closed on Feb. 15 after climate activists poured colored power on a display case containing the United States Constitution.
Two men were arrested and charged with destruction of federal property on Feb. 14 just after the 2:30 p.m. disruption. No damage was done to the historic document but the room where it was displayed will remain closed through Feb. 16.
“We are determined to foment a rebellion,” declared one of the men in a video posted on X. “We will not be held accountable to laws to which we have no voice or representation.”
The man, wearing a backward baseball cap, can be seen picking up some of the bright pink power on the case behind him.
“This country is founded on the condition that all men are created … equally and endowed with inalienable right to life. Liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We’re calling for all people to have these rights – not just wealthy white men,” he continued as security guards in masks stood next to the display. “We all deserve clean air, water, food and a livable climate.”
The men expressed concern about the subsidization of fossil fuels and claimed there are millions of climate refugees currently in the United States.
“There are people all over the world suffering. … We need to change how we do things. We need to change systems and value the lives and well-being of people over the profits of men,” said the first activist as a male security guard attempted to get them to walk away from the display.
“We need to declare a climate emergency,” said the second activist. “President Biden, please declare a climate emergency. America, please declare a climate emergency.”
“We need to act like we are terrified or else no one will really believe that this is as bad as it is,” he added.
Near the end of the video, the first activist can be seen lying on the ground as security tries to place him in handcuffs.
https://x.com/FordFischer/status/1757851464553091388?s=20
The museum was closed following the incident. In a press release updated on Feb. 15, the National Archives said an investigation is underway and that conservators were evaluating the damage done to the Rotunda. The Rotunda, which also houses the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Faulkner Murals, remained closed the day after the demonstration for cleaning.
“The National Archives Rotunda is the sanctuary for our nation’s founding documents. They are here for all Americans to view and understand the principles of our nation,” said Dr. Colleen Shogan, Archivist of the United States. “We take such vandalism very seriously and we will insist that the perpetrators be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
