The climate change protesters who dumped red powder on the Constitution’s display case are facing charges of felony destruction of government property.
Donald Zepeda, 35, of Maryland, and Jackson Green, 27, of Utah were detained shortly after their stunt on Feb. 14. While Green remained in custody due to a prior offense, Zepeda was released shortly after, only to be arrested on Wednesday in light of their indictment, which was unsealed Friday.
“The cost of cleaning up after the stunt, which was intended to draw attention to Climate Change, has already exceeded $50,000,” a press release from the U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C., read. “In addition, the act closed the Rotunda for four days.”
Green was previously charged for a November attack on the Shaw 54th Regiment Memorial in the National Gallery of Art’s West Wing. In that instance, Green brought red paint and smeared the words “Honor Them” on the wall next to a sculpture. U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson issued an order against Green to stay away from Washington, D.C., a violation of which resulted in his prolonged detention.
Both activists are a part of the climate campaign Declare Emergency. Green’s demonstration in November was the third instance of a Declare Emergency member protesting within the National Gallery of Art.
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As with every other demonstration, the attack on the Constitution’s display case was captured on video. The document itself was not affected by the powder. Other items in the National Archives rotunda include the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence, which were also unaffected.
Declare Emergency’s website continues to solicit volunteers in the Washington, D.C., area, with the warning that its future campaigns have the “possibility that it could lead to … arrest.”
