Petition: Drop Charges Against Joanna Smith and Tim Martin
Assistant U.S. District Attorney Cameron A. Tepfer
.png)
To Assistant U.S. District Attorney Cameron A. Tepfer,
Dear Sir,
We are composing this letter/petition to voice our protest against the severe and overstated charges leveled against Joanna Smith and Tim Martin for their symbolic, non-violent action on April 27th, 2023. On that occasion, Smith and Martin submerged their hands in water-soluble paint and imprinted their handprints on the cabinet safeguarding the Degas sculpture "Tiny Dancer," a depiction of a child. They willingly subjected themselves to arrest as a means of civil disobedience, believing it to be necessary in highlighting the state of the climate emergency.
In the words of Joanna Smith: "Today, through nonviolent rebellion, we have temporarily used a piece of art to evoke the real children whose suffering is certain if the fossil fuel companies continue extracting new coal, oil, and gas from the ground." She further stated, "As a parent, I cannot accept this future."
The two activists have been indicted on charges of conspiring to commit
an offense against the U.S. Government and causing injury to a National
Gallery of Art Exhibit. Each charge carries a maximum statutory sentence
of 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. It is important to
note that there was no direct damage to the artwork or any attempt to
cause damage. Furthermore, the estimated total damage to the
installation was approximately $2,400, which also seems inflated and
largely the result of decisions made by the museum following the
protest.
We are deeply concerned, both about the specific overreaching charges in this case and their impact on these individuals and their families, as well as the broader implications of this overly repressive response. The right to protest in the U.S. and the history of symbolic, nonviolent civil disobedience actions are well-documented. However, these charges and this case appear to disregard past precedents and respond to these recent acts in an excessively severe manner.
While it is formally recognized that we are currently facing a scientific tipping point regarding CO2 emissions and other environmental crises, there is a widespread belief that insufficient governmental action is being taken to reverse the current climate disaster. Therefore, it is particularly urgent that voices expressing concern are not silenced and that those who act for the future of our children are not silenced.
We respectfully urge you to drop the charges against Joanna Smith and Tim Martin.
Click here to learn more about the case.
Participating organizations
Declare Emergency
Extinction Rebellion LA
Extinction Rebellion NYC
Rise and Resist NYC
Scientist Rebellion Turtle Island
Notable individuals
Bill McKibben (Environmentalist, author, and journalist)
Jihad Abdulmumit (Chairperson of The Spirit of Mandella Coalition)
Jay Bernstein (Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at The New School for Social Research)
Paul Magno (Plowshares Movement)
Matt Meyer (Secretary General of International Peace Research Association)
Sponsored by
Additional Sponsors
To:
Assistant U.S. District Attorney Cameron A. Tepfer
From:
[Your Name]
To Assistant U.S. District Attorney Cameron A. Tepfer,
Dear Sir,
We are composing this letter/petition to voice our protest against the severe and overstated charges leveled against Joanna Smith and Tim Martin for their symbolic, non-violent action on April 27th, 2023. On that occasion, Smith and Martin submerged their hands in water-soluble paint and imprinted their handprints on the cabinet safeguarding the Degas sculpture "Tiny Dancer," a depiction of a child. They willingly subjected themselves to arrest as a means of civil disobedience, believing it to be necessary in highlighting state of the climate emergency.
In the words of Joanna Smith: "Today, through nonviolent rebellion, we have temporarily used a piece of art to evoke the real children whose suffering is certain if the fossil fuel companies continue extracting new coal, oil, and gas from the ground." She further stated, "As a parent, I cannot accept this future."
The two activists have been indicted on charges of conspiring to commit an offense against the U.S. Government and causing injury to a National Gallery of Art Exhibit. Each charge carries a maximum statutory sentence of 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. It is important to note that there was no direct damage to the artwork or any attempt to cause damage. Furthermore, the estimated total damage to the installation was approximately $2,400, which also seems inflated and largely the result of decisions made by the museum following the protest.
We are deeply concerned, both about the specific overreaching charges in this case and their impact on these individuals and their families, as well as the broader implications of this overly repressive response. The right to protest in the U.S. and the history of symbolic, nonviolent civil disobedience actions are well-documented. However, these charges and this case appear to disregard past precedents and respond to these recent acts in an excessively severe manner.
While it is formally recognized that we are currently facing a scientific tipping point regarding CO2 emissions and other environmental crises, there is a widespread belief that insufficient governmental action is being taken to reverse the current climate disaster. Therefore, it is particularly urgent that voices expressing concern are not silenced and that those who act for the future of our children are not silenced.
We respectfully urge you to drop the charges against Joanna Smith and Tim Martin.