- Protesters throw soup at the Mona Lisa in the Louvre, but painting remains unharmed behind unbreakable glass.
- Demonstrators film the incident, question the importance of art versus access to healthy and sustainable food, and criticize the agricultural system.
- Security guards quickly respond, erect barriers, and escort people away; museum intends to file a complaint. Group “Riposte Alimentaire” claims responsibility and launches civil resistance campaign for sustainable food.
Additional Coverage:
Protesters in France attempted to make a statement by throwing soup at the Mona Lisa, a world-famous work of art housed in the Louvre in Paris. Luckily, the painting was protected by unbreakable glass.
Recordings from Sunday captured two women standing in front of Leonardo da Vinci’s 16th Century portrait as they launched pumpkin soup at the glass in front of it. The incident occurred while art enthusiasts were present in the area.
After splashing the liquid, the demonstrators turned their attention to the crowd that had gathered, filming the entire event with their cell phones. One of the women took off her jacket to reveal a white t-shirt bearing a message in French that translates to “Food Response.”
The women shouted at the onlookers, questioning what is more important: art or the right to healthy and sustainable food. They also criticized the agricultural system, claiming that farmers are dying on the job.
The security guards swiftly erected barriers to protect the Mona Lisa and escorted people away from the vicinity. The museum authorities intended to file a complaint, although there appeared to be no visible damage to the painting. The current situation of the protesters remains unknown.
Following the incident, a group called “Riposte Alimentaire” released a statement admitting their involvement and declaring the beginning of a civil resistance campaign advocating for the social security of sustainable food.
It seems that soup will no longer be on the menu for anyone attempting such acts in the future.