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‘How f***ing dare you’: Climate vandals slammed for throwing SOUP on iconic $84.2M Van Gogh 'Sunflowers'

The two activists reportedly glued themselves to the wall adjacent to Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers' and also threw a liquid that looked like tomato soup over the painting

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: Two climate change activists from the Just Stop Oil group took a very bizarre step to express their anger as they poured tomato soup over a Van Gogh painting in London’s National Gallery. The protestors, identified as Phoebe Plummer and Anna Holland, also apparently put glue on their hands before sticking them on the gallery’s wall.

As per reports, after tarnishing the $84.2 million art, Plummer said, “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? The cost of living crisis is part of the cost of oil crisis.”

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Holland then stated, “UK families will be forced to choose between heating or eating this winter, as fossil fuel companies reap record profits. But the cost of oil and gas isn't limited to our bills. Somalia is now facing an apocalyptic famine, caused by drought and fuelled by the climate crisis. Millions are being forced to move and tens of thousands face starvation. This is the future we choose for ourselves if we push for new oil and gas.”

The painting did not get any stain because of its glass frame but a spokesperson of the gallery said, “At just after 11am this morning two people entered Room 43 of the National Gallery. The pair appeared to glue themselves to the wall adjacent to Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers' (1888). They also threw a red substance - what appears to be tomato soup - over the painting. The room was cleared of visitors and police were called. Officers are now on the scene. There is some minor damage to the frame but the painting is unharmed.”

Reports said both women were taken into custody after the glue removal procedure took place. The Metropolitan Police’s spokesperson noted, “Officers were rapidly on scene at the National Gallery this morning after two Just Stop Oil protesters threw a substance over a painting and then glued themselves to a wall. Both have been arrested for criminal damage & aggravated trespass. Officers are now de-bonding them.”

Meanwhile, people online have heavily slammed the two protestors with one saying, “I am an environmentalist, a Greenpeace supporter. I am distraught by this act beyond measure. I adore Van Gogh's art. How f'ing dare you. F*k you for this act of evil. What did you hope to achieve? You've set the cause back immeasurably. Absolute ignorance of a monumental scale!!”

Another user tweeted, “Van Gogh was a very modest fellow who loved nature & gave valuable insight into mental health issues. Very poor choice of action.”

“Life sentence. Van Gogh is an artists who’s art should never be disrespected and damaged. This is not just damaging priceless property but also damaging art itself,” the third one wrote.

While the fourth one asserted, “Tomato soup thrown at Van Gogh's Sunflowers by environmental protestors - I am so angry as well as upset as it's really, really STUPID and ill-judged and will only LOSE support for this most crucial and utterly urgent of issues. Idiots.”

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.