In Berlin, activists from the 'Last Generation' smeared the British Embassy with tomato soup. This act was a show of solidarity with members of the 'Just Stop Oil' group in the UK.
The British activists, Phoebe Plummer and Anna Holland, had previously thrown soup at Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers' painting, protected by glass, in the National Gallery. Despite the protection, they caused £10,000 in damage to the frame and received prison sentences of 24 and 20 months respectively.
These sentences were seen by many as disproportionate and politically motivated. The Berlin protest was part of a wider, coordinated international effort to draw attention to climate change and critique the harsh penalties faced by peaceful protesters.
The 'Just Stop Oil' group has been known for high-profile actions, including targeting museums and public events, to highlight the urgency of the climate crisis. In the UK, these actions have sparked debates about the balance between civil disobedience and legal consequences.
Critics argue that the severe sentences undermine democratic values and fail to address the environmental issues at the heart of the protests.
