In what seems to be one of the strangest ways of protest, a man threw a cake at the Mona Lisa to bring awareness to the mistreatment of planet Earth. According to the New York Times, a man who had disguised himself as an older woman threw a pastry that many assume is cake at the Mona Lisa after feigning a disability to get closer to the piece of art. The painting remained unharmed, as the man had only ruined the glass protecting it. Still, this is causing a lot of conversation online as people try to decipher the message the protestor was given.
It appeared he was a climate protester, with some bystanders hearing him say in French:
???? 'Think of the planet… there are people who are destroying the planet, think about that… That’s why I did it.' ???? pic.twitter.com/8UkW4lMkPi
— Metro (@MetroUK) May 30, 2022
Vandalism remains one of the main concerns at The Louvre, where the painting resides, although it is difficult to maintain. This is not the first time the painting has faced threats of vandalism, as it was even stolen for over two years in 1911. But, although the vandalism of important pieces of art is not unlikely, many wonder what this protestor was trying to do. According to witnesses, the man said that “people who were destroying the planet” and “that’s why I did it.” One man said that he threw roses at his feet when they saw him once leaving the museum.
the amount of "yes" here is stupid to me. there won't even be a mona lisa in 50 years if we don't stop climate change. someone literally set themselves on fire recently in protest too. these aren't "stunts". it's frustration at a broken system not listening to helpless people. https://t.co/83AiRHKocw
— ????amber ???????? (@amber_a_bi) May 30, 2022
An environmental activist trying to destroy the Mona Lisa is in line with what leftism is right now. They think their righteous cause means all of their behavior is ok and this is reinforced by a friendly media who covers riots as if they are peaceful protests. It's wrong.
— Karol Markowicz (@karol) May 30, 2022
Of course, there was mixed response online. Although some thought that he was trying to get attention from the media to give him a platform, which is why he did such a dramatic version of protesting, journalist Karol Markowicz wrote “Destruction “for a good cause” is still destruction. Every tyrant in history will tell you they were trying to do good. Everyone thinks their cause is just. We can’t let this kind of thing go unpunished. There is a lot we shouldn’t let go unpunished.”
The protective glass of the Mona Lisa painting at The Louvre was caked today by a man dressed up as an elderly woman in a wheelchair. pic.twitter.com/g8uaQZ1wPp
— Pop Base (@PopBase) May 29, 2022
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Whether or not you think this was an appropriate way to protest, vandalization of art seems to be a top concern in the Louvre, who immediately tackled and removed the man.
