From CLIMATE DEPOT

WTOP: The two climate protesters who smeared paint on the case and base of Edgar Degas’ “Little Dancer Aged Fourteen” in the National Gallery of Art on April 27 were arrested Friday. Timothy Martin of North Carolina and Joanna Smith of New York, both 53, were charged with conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and injury to a National Gallery of Art exhibit.

Washington Post reporters alerted about the attack filmed and photographed the offense. …The Washington Post reported that it’s staff reporters were initially subjected to a potential arrest but, after speaking with attorneys, they were not detained. District police have not commented on the report. … 

The protesters are calling for President Biden to declare a formal state of climate emergency and said the sculpture was damaged to highlight “insufficient action on the climate emergency.”

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Meteorologist Dr. Ryan Maue: “What the hell? This story identifies the Washington Post as the media outlet **alerted ahead of time of criminal acts at the National Gallery of Art** and showed up with cameras. Sounds like accomplices or co-conspirators = Jail ‘Washington Post reporters alerted about the attack filmed and photographed the offense.’” … They did not act alone: More from Wash Post on far-reaching criminal conspiracy to attack the National Gallery of Art. And alerted one member of the media (who was there with a camera and speedily edited the footage lickety-split for Wash Post).”

Former New York Times reporter Andrew Revkin suggested “crimes” may have been committed by the Washington Post. “If yours, were you randomly visiting the @NationalGallery or alerted ahead of time? Seems a fine line between journalism and P.R. if the latter? No easy answer,” Revkin wrote, then adding, “crimes?”

By: Admin – Climate DepotMay 28, 2023 8:35 AM

https://wtop.com/crime/2023/05/climate-protesters-charged-for-damaging-national-gallery-exhibit/

By Emily Venezky

Excerpt: The two climate protesters who smeared paint on the case and base of Edgar Degas’ “Little Dancer Aged Fourteen” in the National Gallery of Art on April 27 were arrested Friday. Timothy Martin of North Carolina and Joanna Smith of New York, both 53, were charged with conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and injury to a National Gallery of Art exhibit. …

According to the indictment, Martin and Smith had planned to injure the exhibit when they entered the National Gallery and brought plastic water bottles filled with paint. The indictment outlines how they handed their phones to co-conspirators before smearing paint on the case and base of the sculpture’s exhibit, at times smacking the glass case. Washington Post reporters alerted about the attack filmed and photographed the offense.

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The U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a news release the “Little Dancer” was explicitly targeted for her fragility. The sculpture’s materials include human hair, silk and linen ribbon that is over 100 years old.

Smith and Martin caused approximately $2,400 in damage, and the exhibit was removed from public display for 10 days for repairs, according to the indictment. The Washington Post reported that it’s staff reporters were initially subjected to a potential arrest but, after speaking with attorneys, they were not detained. District police have not commented on the report. …

The protesters are calling for President Biden to declare a formal state of climate emergency and said the sculpture was damaged to highlight “insufficient action on the climate emergency.”

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1662306689163440128.html

The pair were arrested, jailed, and face a minimum of 5 years in prison.

They should plead guilty. If you do the… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

 And alerted one member of the media (who was there with a camera and speedily edited the footage lickety-split for Wash Post)

“The indictment also… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

This story identifies the Washington Post as the media outlet **alerted ahead of time of criminal acts at the National Gallery of Art** and showed up with cameras.

Sounds like accomplices or co-conspirators = Jail

“Washington Post reporters alerted about… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

Yikes!

This criminal conspiracy involved many more than just these 2. The plan of attack on the National Gallery was financed and implemented by as yet unidentified co-conspirators. They are still uncharged.

FBI Art Crimes  is leading the case.