Climate Change Protesters Disrupt National Archives, Prompt Closure

Two climate activists disrupted the National Archives rotunda and galleries in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday afternoon. The perpetrators, identified as Donald Zepeda, 35, and Jackson Green, 27, both residents of Washington, D.C., dumped red powder on the case housing the U.S. Constitution, prompting an early closure of the premises to the public.

Source: New York Post/YouTube

The National Archives, in a press release, reassured the public that the encasement shielded the Constitution from any harm. However, conservators are assessing the extent of the damage caused to the rotunda. The suspects were promptly apprehended and escorted out by security personnel.

The motive behind the act appears to be linked to climate change activism. A video circulating on social media captured the moment when the two men, drenched in red powder, delivered prepared speeches regarding Climate change while standing before the Constitution’s protective case.

“We are determined to foment a rebellion,” declared one of the men in the video. “We all deserve clean air, water, food, and a livable climate.” The group Declare Emergency, a Climate change activism organization, confirmed to NBC Washington that the detained individuals were indeed members of their movement.

Colleen Shogan, the Archivist of the United States, expressed deep concern over the violation of the sanctity of the National Archives Rotunda, emphasizing its significance as the repository of the nation’s founding documents.

“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,” Shogan stated. “We take such vandalism very seriously and we will insist that the perpetrators be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

As a consequence of the disruption, the National Archives Rotunda will remain closed for cleaning on Thursday, while the rest of the building will continue to operate on its regular schedule.

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