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.

It's vandalism and criminal damage, or attempted criminal damage.

This issue is so urgent that we need all kinds of activists. Scientists have been quietly staring the facts for years and no one has listened. There’s not enough time to wait and see if Greta or whoever else can do enough.

How exactly will activists make any difference, ?

That’s what I can’t understand, @BigWoollyJumpers , what good will it do? What we need is continued investment and research into renewable energies, because we can’t depend on them yet.

My DH works in the field and some energy sources aren’t as “green” as people assume, there’s a long way to go development-wise.

I wish they'd spend their energy creating the alternative instead of stupid protests! We're nowhere near ready to do without oil.

@VegMam genuine question - I’m not trying to be facetious here. You’re clearly very interested in climate change and protecting the planet from it - what are you personally doing about it? Is there anything you’d recommend we do?

I agree it’s something we all need to play a part in, but I don’t think activism is the answer - it doesn’t actually achieve anything directly other than pissing people off.

This has also just got me thinking about the energy price increases. Obviously that is a horrible situation for all of us, and it will be really difficult, but I’m just wondering how much of a difference that’ll make to the environment. Most of us will be forced to use much less energy than usual for an indefinite period - it will be interesting to see what impact that has on the environment.

How exactly will activists make any difference, ?

Well, we're here talking about the energy crisis now...more people are discussing oil than otherwise would.

Yes, Van Gough paintings are beautiful and special, but then so is our world, and we're fucking it up.

Tell Liz Truss.
She's in the news a lot at the mo.

the important difference between these people and the suffragettes is that these two (I presume they are aged over 18) have the vote, and hence a voice in our democracy

They make a good point. People should be far more outraged at the daily destruction of our planet. You can't live on a painting.

I care massively about the world that our young people will inherit. I don’t care about a painting. What’s the point in keeping it if the nature it depicts is erased?

Scientists have been saying we need to change course for decades. Politicians haven’t listened. Liz Truss is a fucking disgrace. What’s it going to take?

I don’t know all the details, but my understanding is that the protesters want to stop the issuance of new oil and gas licenses. It sounds reasonable, but what would actually happen if the government did this?

Is this the same group who prevented emergency vehicles from getting through? I found that abhorrent.
Same as I do with the tyre deflating 'activists'.
I'm all for people having their voices heard and absolutely behind people protecting our planet, but not at the cost of the publics safety.

no it’s not my dad works there and they are
embarrassing humans

Isn’t it amazing the vitriol aimed at climate protesters who are willing to risk their freedom to fight for a better future for all of us. Where’s the same vitriol for the people who are literally destroying the planet and our children and grandchildren’s futures?

The people in the oil & gas industry are actually supporting the comfortable standard of living you and many around the world enjoy. The only way out of societal poverty is harnessing fossil fuels for development, as was done in East Asia. There’s no way around it.

People such as yourself seem to want to tear down current living standards which will literally destroy the life prospects of your children and grandchildren, more than climate change ever could.

What happened recently in Sri Lanka should have been a wake-up call to people about the dangers of listening to the Green movement …

Leading scientists say that we are absolutely ready, we have the solutions but not the will. In fact I was speaking to a climate scientist a few years ago about doing a masters in climate related issues, he said if I really want to make a difference I should become an activist; we know what needs to be done and how to do it but governments aren’t willing to.

A very quick Google will tell you you’re wrong on all counts. Just wrong.

This article has some god suggestions. My view (based on reading up on studies) is that activism and protests do work. Therefore, the biggest thing I think I can do is be active in my local environmental groups, rallying more activists to the cause.

People called the suffragettes terrorists.

I don’t condone throwing soup on decent artwork although no damage was actually done since they’re covered in protective glass… I equally can’t believe one of the first posters suggested they would be happy if someone ran them over and potentially murdered them? Seriously, you would be happy to see another human being murdered? Pretty sick.

It's the same kind of people who would be happy for thousands of people to drown in Pakistan, or starve to death in Bangladesh.

I'm a million miles from being a greeny sandal-wearing type. but it's becoming increasingly clear we're headed towards a global shitshow that will lead, over time, to millions of deaths.

I don't know whether what these kids have done is a good idea or not, but i can understand their frustration at the fact that fucking nothing is changing. And the fact that many posters on this thread are more concerned about a bit of soup on some glass is just underlining their point.

And, again, this protest is very different from blocking an ambulance or a fire engine, which has potential to cause great harm. Ultimately no damage was done (or intended) that can't be fixed using kitchen towel.

Just makes me run in the opposite direction when they do things like this. Highlighting the cost of living crisis by throwing away perfectly good food is surely a butut back to front nitvto mention what looks like brand new clothes. I bet they go home to wealthy families too.

A couple of tins of wasted soup >>> thousands or millions of deaths by drowning, starvation etc.

Please don't pretend you give a fuck about poor people, it's offensive.

I equally can’t believe one of the first posters suggested they would be happy if someone ran them over and potentially murdered them? Seriously, you would be happy to see another human being murdered
They are willfully sitting in front of traffic on busy roads. It's stupidity. If they don't want killed by a car, don't sit on a road. If someone runs them over it's their own fault.
They don't care that emergency vehicles can't get through. Certainly where I am, there's an ambulance shortage. Just because there are no blue lights on a vehicle doesn't mean there isn't an emergency. I had a severe head injury and was taken by car. Women and children could be driving to a safe place. Elderly people or anyone in fact returning home for essential medication. The list goes on. These people don't think beyond themselves. Sitting on roads (also encouraging idle engines) should not be condoned.

Again, these people are arseholes. Even if their cause is just, they are causing serious harm by their actions, and just alienating decent people.

Chucking a bit of soup over some glass covering a painting is in a completely different category.

So you'd run them over and kill then?

Yes or no?

Or you'd stand back and clap someone who did do it, but not have the balls yourself?