Protesters Toss Soup at 'Mona Lisa' in Climate Stunt
In a protest at the Louvre Museum in Paris, activists from the environmental group Riposte Alimentaire threw soup onto the protective glass covering the "Mona Lisa." The painting itself, encased in bulletproof glass, was not damaged. The protesters, aiming to draw attention to issues of food insecurity and the environmental impact of the French agricultural system, were arrested following the incident. Riposte Alimentaire has called for the establishment of a Sustainable Food Social Security system, proposing that residents be given a card with 150 euros a month to purchase approved food products.
The action is part of a broader movement by climate activists who have targeted artworks across Europe to raise awareness of various environmental and social issues. The Mona Lisa, which has been shielded behind safety glass since 1956, was quickly cleaned, and the museum plans to lodge a complaint. The protest coincides with grievances from French farmers regarding governmental regulations, rising fuel prices, and low wages, which have led to calls for measures against "unfair competition" from imports adhering to different production standards.
French government officials, including the Minister for Culture and the new Prime Minister, have expressed concerns about these protests and the challenges facing the agricultural sector. While acknowledging the farmers' difficulties, the Prime Minister indicated the government's consideration of additional steps to address their demands and the issue of competition from foreign imports.
