WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator JD Vance (R-OH) has introduced the Consequences for Climate Vandals Act, which would double the statutory maximum prison sentence for damaging art or other property on the grounds of the National Gallery of Art, the Smithsonian museums, the Kennedy Center, and other properties. Senator Mike Braun (R-IN) joins as an original cosponsor.
“There should be no tolerance for the vandalization of our historic works of art,” said Senator Vance. “Apparently, a maximum penalty of five years in prison isn’t enough to keep these far-left protestors from tarnishing displays of cultural significance. Let’s make it ten years and see if they’re still so bold.”
In recent months, climate change protestors have vandalized sculptures and case housings at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Similar crimes have taken place overseas, including at the London National Gallery, where protestors threw cans of soup onto Vincent van Gogh’s “Sunflowers.”
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Photo credits: Ellie Silverman/The Washington Post, Just Stop Oil, and Declare Emergency, respectively.
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