Commonwealth Policy Center

Two environmental activists emptied a can of tomato soup on a Van Gogh painting worth $85 million. The activists then glued their hands to the wall under the painting, and one of them began shouting, “What is worth more, art or life? Is it worth more than food? More than justice? Are you more concerned about the protection of a painting or the protection of our planet and people?” A desire to take care of the earth is good but is vandalism the way to make your point?— Especially when you claim you are for preserving something. The earth is a gift from God, and we should take care of it, but it’s contradictory to make a point of care and stewardship by vandalizing artwork. Such actions only undermine their cause.