Climate activist who vandalized NGA display case sentenced

A Declare Emergency climate change activist who, with another protester, vandalized the display case holding Edgar Degas’s Little Dancer Aged 14 at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., has been sentenced by a federal judge more than two years later.

Timothy Martin, 55, was sentenced for the April 2023 protest on October 27 by Amy Berman Jackson—an experienced judge best known for presiding over cases like the criminal case of Roger Stone, January 6 rioters and other high-profile cases.

The court docket listing reviewed by Urgent Matter shows that he was sentenced to 18 months in prison on charges of conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and injury to a National Gallery of Art exhibit. He had been found guilty after a trial in April.

Jackson, who has been held without bond since his trial, was given credit for time served and will have to complete two years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restation of $4,062 to be paid jointly with Joanna Smith, the other protester.

Smith, 54, took a plea deal for a lesser charge and served 60 days in prison. She was also ordered to two years of supervise release, as well as 150 hours of community service, and other punitive measures.

The National Gallery of Art issued a statement praising Martin’s conviction in April. Despite the fact the protest action didn’t damage the sculpture or cause any injuries, the museum had condemned it as a “violent” act.

“We have seen justice served in this matter,” the museum said in its statement.

Declare Emergency in October announced that it would be concluding its direct action campaigns like the National Gallery of Art protest.

“This decision has been made after careful consideration and reflection on the evolving landscape of climate activism and the most effective ways for our organization to contribute to the cause,” a statement on the group’s website reads.

“While our direct-action efforts are concluding, our commitment to climate justice and supporting our community remains unwavering.”

The decision comes after the British protest group Just Stop Oil made a similar announcement.

Last week, Just Stop Oil announced that three climate change protesters who threw orange cornstarch powder on three Stonehenge megaliths in 2024 were acquitted after a two-week trial.