Climate activists sentenced for red powder attack on US Constitution

A pair of climate activists who vandalized the National Archives Rotunda by dumping red powder on the encasement protecting the U.S. Constitution have been sentenced for their actions. Donald Zepeda, 35, of Maryland, and Jackson Green, 27, of Utah, were given prison terms of 24 months and 18 months, respectively, for their attack on the U.S. Constitution housed at the National Archives in Washington D.C. The incident took place on February 14, 2024.

Zepeda pleaded guilty to felony destruction of property for pouring red powder over a display case containing the U.S. Constitution, leading to a cleanup cost exceeding $58,000. The vandalism forced the closure of the Rotunda for four days, affecting students, visitors, and D.C. residents.

Green, on the other hand, pleaded guilty to felony destruction of property for the red powder attack on the U.S. Constitution and also admitted to damaging a memorial to Black Civil War soldiers on November 14, 2023. As part of their sentencing, both Zepeda and Green were ordered to serve 24 months of supervised release, pay $58,600 in restitution, and perform community service, including graffiti cleanup. Additionally, they were banned from D.C. and all museums across the U.S.

The activists are members of Declare Emergency, a group that aims to raise awareness about climate change through various criminal offenses, primarily in D.C. Despite the group’s claim that the red powder used in the attack caused no harm and did not enter the display case, they were charged with felony destruction of government property.

Following the sentencing, Declare Emergency released a statement expressing their expectation of a “harsh” sentence. They defended their actions as nonviolent civil disobedience, emphasizing their commitment to addressing climate change through activism. The group’s actions on Valentine’s Day were part of their ongoing efforts to draw attention to the urgent need for climate action.

The incident at the National Archives Rotunda serves as a reminder of the complex challenges surrounding activism and the consequences of illegal actions. While the activists sought to highlight an important issue, their methods ultimately led to legal repercussions and a significant financial burden.