Timothy Martin, a climate activist with the group Declare Emergency, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for smearing paint on a glass vitrine protecting Edgar Degas's sculpture *Little Dancer, Age Fourteen* at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., in April 2023. He was found guilty of conspiracy and injury to government property, and must also pay $4,062 in restitution, perform 150 hours of community service, and is barred from entering Washington, D.C. and its museums. His co-activist, Johanna Smith, had previously pleaded guilty and served a 60-day sentence.
The case highlights the escalating legal consequences for climate activists who target high-profile artworks to draw attention to environmental crises. While prosecutors sought a five-year sentence, the 18-month term has been criticized by Climate Rights International as disproportionate and a threat to free speech and peaceful assembly. The incident also underscores the tension between art preservation and activist tactics, as the protest caused over $4,000 in damage and forced a gallery closure for ten days.