To think this is awful? (Just Stop Oil protesters throwing soup over Van Gogh painting)

[TheCatsPyjamas1]

Just read that some Just Stop Oil protesters have thrown soup over a Van Gogh painting in the National Gallery in London. AIBU to think this is unacceptable?

I fully support the message of the group (investing in environmentally responsible energy rather than fossil fuels, and helping to make society more equal for everyone), but I find their protest methods are awful and risk alienating people who would otherwise support them.

They keep on doing crazy things, and seem to be escalating their action each time they protest. I don’t really know when or how it’ll end.

The protests aren’t particularly asking ordinary people to do anything more or different, though. They are intended to place the issues in the public consciousness, so governments who can make a difference feel pressured into doing so.

I agree that electric cars aren’t going to save the world. For reasons others have explained on this thread, they’re a bit of a red herring imo

What did she say? Must have been bad to be deleted.

And, like others, I don’t agree with blocking roads or anything else that seriously endangers or inconveniences others. I don’t think anyone on this thread has. Splashing some soup on some glass, or spraying an Aston Martin showroom- can’t get upset, more good done than harm

Probably not. Deletions seem to be automatic after a report.

Not repeating it. Horrible hate speech.

she used a disablist slur, @Blossomtoes

Talking about how daft the protest was for the most part. Find me one person who on the back of that protest said "you know what, I'm going to give veganism a try now".

Not that they were aiming it at individuals anyway, the Animal Rebellion protestors said that they wanted the government to act. Not sure why they think that the government should be dictating our dietary choices, nor am I sure of why they think that the government is going to pay attention to their demands.

There's a huge amount of cognitive dissonance coming from those who profess to want to save the planet, yet also oppose the very projects needed to decarbonise our transport and energy generation.

But what was the point in decimating Tom Moores memorial? What was his connection with climate change? The poor man was 100 years old.

I’d agree to an extent, though I don’t think the HS2 protestors are, by and large, climate activists. I get the sense it’s a mix of woodland conservationists, and nimbys. And it goes without saying that some protesters are just in it for shits and giggles

It's about morals and principles. Those activists discredit themselves by the harm they do to others (such as milk hazard on the floor, blocking the roads, etc - it is not a victimless crime, someone always suffers somehow for their actions). Do you not understand that one can advocate for action on climate change, without acting like an immature 7 year old child? Doesn't maturity and acting with decency and conscientiousness come into it? How can a mature, well-adjusted adult possibly defend their actions?
I never, ever, ever thought I would see anyone on here (at least over the age of 25) defend these horrible nasty brats.

Let me re-write that for you.

It's about morals and principles. Those <fossil fuel industry activists> discredit themselves by the harm they do to others (such as <promoting products that cause climate change, which then causes crops to fail and high food prices, famine, loss of homes and livelihoods through floods, resource wars> etc - it is not a victimless crime, someone always suffers somehow for their actions). Do you not understand that one can advocate for <the fossil fuel industry> without acting like an immature 7 year old child? Doesn't maturity and acting with decency and conscientiousness come into it? How can a mature, well-adjusted adult possibly defend their actions?
I never, ever, ever thought I would see anyone on here (at least over the age of 25) defend these horrible nasty brats.

No point at all. It was the very definition of mindless vandalism.

"Let me re-write that for you...", really good, Cherry.

Surely the best thing to do with these idiots is ignore them ? They want to climb the Dartford Bridge? Let them . But allow the traffic to continue as normal. They weren’t blocking the road , traffic could pass.
It’s October. It’s getting colder, wetter and darker.
Surely there’s only so long a protester can hang around a bridge before they need a piss, a shit, need a drink or eat food?
Closing major roads and giving attention is exactly their aim.
Let then crack in whilst everyone else goes about their business.

Also can businesses take legal action against them for loss of earnings? Lots of poor truck drivers bringing in vital supplies suffered today. Food, medicine, etc etc.
Sainsbury’s and Tesco both have depots near Dartford. Both of which won’t have been able to deliver food today.
Lets remember people are genuinely going hungry at the moment so food banks would lose out too.

It's very difficult to tell with the various People's Front of Judea/Judean People's Front splinter groups.
Earlier, @ILeclercreturn said:
HS2 is largely a 'white elephant' unless there is a clearly defined plan to make things that need transporting from 'the north' to London. Has anyone seen detailed plans (or even vague ideas) for development of industry that COULD use a high speed train? NO, it is an attempt to pull workers from the North to work in London

Which basically illustrates that that poster doesn't have a clue about the project. I can't be bothered to go into full details yet again about how capacity is freed up for freight etc. so instead I'll go into the effect on aviation.

Approximately five million people fly between the Scottish Central Belt and London every year. Only two and a half million fly between London and Paris. What's the difference? Well thanks to high speed rail, it now only takes two and a quarter hours to get to Paris, compared with four and a half hours to Scotland. That has decimated the Cross-Channel aviation market, a phenomenon which will be replicated when London-Scotland journey times fall below the key four hour mark.

People use trains (particularly long-distance ones) for many reasons other than for work, which is why they're often full and standing off-peak. Liverpool Lime Street for example is 15% up on passenger numbers compared with 2019.

Personally don’t agree with this sort of protest, a video is circulating with milk being poured over a supermarket floor, who do they think has to clean this up? They are making work for overworked underpaid individuals in most cases!

Utterly disgraceful and they just look entitled, batshit and unhinged. I hope they’re made to pay for the damage, or serve community service/ a jail sentence to compensate.

Why are you always so aggressive?

Instead of attempting to destroy a historical artifact and potentially blocking emergency vehicles, maybe doing something like this would be better instead

worldnewsdailyreport.com/lottery-winner-arrested-for-dumping-200000-of-manure-on-ex-boss-lawn/

www.wdtn.com/news/man-dumps-chicken-manure-to-protest-neighbors-wedding-venue/

www.mediaite.com/weird/watch-florida-man-dresses-as-grim-reaper-to-protest-reopening-of-florida-beaches/

I don't endorse doing dumping manure of course but doing something crazy like this would still generate headlines while being less destructive. I don't think it is illegal in the UK to dress up as the grim reaper so maybe mass of people protesting in Grim reaper outfits would grab headlines and be appropriate for the season. Let's be a little more creative and less destructive.

Catlady2021

it was symbolic as he fought for the country and what was the point if this generation keeps doing what it’s doing, it’ll all have been for nothing

Got everyone’s attention though, didn’t it?

Oh do piss off. Brave activists risk their lives and their freedom all over the world. So get off your pathetic soap box and do something useful. When people are trying to save your lives and your future at least be grateful or stfu

If you could be arsed to look through the movements social media accounts you will see that everything you or anyone has thought of has been done. Most of it doesn't make the news.

The painting wasnt harmed either.

Millions of people worldwide are dying and being displaced and all people can do is moan about people trying to get it into the bloody news???

When you have teachers and scientists and doctors and nurses and uni professors spending their precious free time trying to bring this ti attention. When you've got activists from the global south risking their lives and their freedom to bring attention to what is happening right now, you bloody listen. Or you're a fool. But at least don't admit it in public.

How would you describe your position re climate change other than 'I don't give a fuck?'

Genuinely interested.