Vandalism

The Gallery said the painting was undamaged. Presumably tomato soup washes off easily. This kind of protest is probably to be preferred over obstructing the highway, causing problems for ambulances, mothers taking disabled children to school, etc.

“What could they do which would change our mind?” I don’t have an answer to this, but this particular incident has infuriated me by it’s pointlessness. Yes, it’s got them lots of publicity, but going by the majority of comments on here, Mumsnet and Twitter, I’m not alone in having that opinion.
GagaJo I think it’s appalling that anyone is sent to prison for protesting unless of course other people/animals are harmed or injured during that protest. I don’t have an answer as to what a suitable punishment would be, but a prison sentence isn’t imo.

I agree RichmondPark1. A friend of mine is an environmental activist and currently in prison for her protesting. She's a normal mum of 2 who is worried about the world being left for her children.

I don't agree with their methods but can understand why young people are angry for change.

The people who do this know they will be arrested and potentially charged. They do it anyway because they feel so strongly about this. All this 'woke police' stuff is incorrect. Over the last weekend of protests over 100 people were arrested and charged,

Every time this kind of subject comes up I ask the questions, 'What protest action would we approve from these people on this issue?' and 'What could they do which would change our mind?' Nobody has ever answers.

The trouble in my opinion is that they know they will be handled with kid gloves by the woke police and get let off of with a slap on the hand. Although personally I think this time they have gone to far and will be sentenced according (I live on hope).

Whitewavemark2

Well, I wouldn’t go that far??, they would definitely be grounded for a good while.

The painting will be cleaned with little problem, so it may be they knew that but have got the publicity they crave.

Well, they've grounded themselves, haven't they. Leave them there (I'd give them some water).

Wall, floor, whatever. I’d like them to have been left to get themselves out of the situation-with suitable solvent provided.

It was the wall.

The Met win twitter for today:

Officers were rapidly on scene at the National Gallery this morning after two Just Stop Oil protesters threw a substance over a painting and then glued themselves to a wall. Both have been arrested for criminal damage & aggravated trespass. Officers are now de-bonding them.

volver

I mean, for goodness sake.

Do you really think that the most expensive painting in the world is just plonked there within soup throwing distance of the general public and with no protective measures?

As for "its more food waste."

World's gone mad. It was a tin of soup, not all the grain stores of Ukraine. Get some perspective. ( WWM2, was van Gogh good at perspective?)

I don’t think Van Gogh was mainly concerned with correct representation, he tended to use colours and and form to convey what he felt, and he hoped that others would feel the same.

They think it’s their way only.

Like every protester, ever, in the history of the world. ??

volver

^should be punished in accordance with the law.^

Yes they should. Which doesn't mean leaving them to starve or inflicting physical pain.

Actually, it might be better to give them the option of getting out of the glue situation by themselves when they choose to do it, even providing the necessary glue solvent for them and filming them doing it.

Then they need to either work on or pay for the restoration of the floor and the clean up of their mess. A criminal conviction that will affect their job prospects and makes their cause look stupid? Why do it?

volver

They don't want us all to join their organisation. They want us to be talking about their protest. Which we're doing.

I don't agree with their methods. I agree they should be punished. I am at a loss as to how often and how dramatically people seem to think every single act of vandalism or public protest is aimed at making you (general you) individually do something different.

volver they do want us to do something different though.

They think it’s their way only.

Let’s hope we are not paying benefits to these individuals. A prison sentence for vandalism is needed.

They don't want us all to join their organisation. They want us to be talking about their protest. Which we're doing.

I don't agree with their methods. I agree they should be punished. I am at a loss as to how often and how dramatically people seem to think every single act of vandalism or public protest is aimed at making you (general you) individually do something different.

nanna8

Leave them glued to the floor, that’s where they want to be. No food, water or anything else.

Yes. We wouldn’t want to deny them the glory of their sticky situation. I suppose they could wriggle out of their clothes for the loo or just lie in their own . . .

volver

^should be punished in accordance with the law.^

Yes they should. Which doesn't mean leaving them to starve or inflicting physical pain.

I am sure the gendarmerie were acting within the parameters of the law.

volver

I mean, for goodness sake.

Do you really think that the most expensive painting in the world is just plonked there within soup throwing distance of the general public and with no protective measures?

As for "its more food waste."

World's gone mad. It was a tin of soup, not all the grain stores of Ukraine. Get some perspective. ( WWM2, was van Gogh good at perspective?)

Do you really think that these two young women are going to get us all running to join their organisation?

I think not

should be punished in accordance with the law.

Yes they should. Which doesn't mean leaving them to starve or inflicting physical pain.

prestbury

Whitewavemark2

We all have different attitudes to material things I guess.

Based on your comment it appears you think vandalism is ok with material things.

It is never ok and the perpetrators should be punished in accordance with the law.

Read my posts in relation to my reply to other posts

I mean, for goodness sake.

Do you really think that the most expensive painting in the world is just plonked there within soup throwing distance of the general public and with no protective measures?

As for "its more food waste."

World's gone mad. It was a tin of soup, not all the grain stores of Ukraine. Get some perspective. ( WWM2, was van Gogh good at perspective?)

Whitewavemark2

We all have different attitudes to material things I guess.

Based on your comment it appears you think vandalism is ok with material things.

It is never ok and the perpetrators should be punished in accordance with the law.

Whitewavemark2

? part of my degree looked at fine arts! I can have a deep and meaningful discussion about Van Gogh if you so wish.

But, yes I think their behaviour is unacceptable, yes they will be prosecuted and yes a period of community service would do them a world of good.

But I am mindful that they are young idealists, it has been ever thus.

Sorry Whitewavemark2 I interpreted your earlier posts as if you were in agreement with these young women.

? part of my degree looked at fine arts! I can have a deep and meaningful discussion about Van Gogh if you so wish.

But, yes I think their behaviour is unacceptable, yes they will be prosecuted and yes a period of community service would do them a world of good.

But I am mindful that they are young idealists, it has been ever thus.

There is minor damage to the frame but the painting is unharmed. Punishment is needed but this is not an attack on a human being.

Adding insult to injury, it is tomato soup that they have thrown, more food waste.