Protesters deface the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona with paint amidst climate change demonstrations
In a bold move to draw attention to the ongoing climate crisis, members of the Spanish climate activist group Futuro Vegetal defaced the iconic Sagrada Familia in Barcelona on Sunday. The famous basilica, designed by Antoni Gaudí, is the most visited landmark in the city.
The activists used red and black paint to deface a pillar of the Sagrada Familia. The act was a response to the government's inaction in addressing the climate crisis and its impact on wildfires in the Iberian Peninsula and Europe. During the protest, the activists shouted "Climate Justice."
The police in Barcelona, Spain, arrested 22 members of Futuro Vegetal, including three leaders, in 2024. The arrests followed the protest at the Sagrada Familia. The activists were also known for vandalizing the villa of soccer superstar Lionel Messi on the Balearic island of Ibiza and the yacht of Walmart heiress Nancy Walton Laurie.
Seven active wildfires were reported by authorities on Saturday, with the regions of Galicia, Castile and León, and Extremadura being the most affected. Devastating fires in Spain have claimed the lives of four people since late July. The fires have destroyed more than 350,000 hectares of land, with dozens of fires raging simultaneously at one point.
The Sagrada Familia incident is not the first time Futuro Vegetal has made headlines for their protest methods. The group had previously released a video of the protest after the incident, which showed the activists painting the basilica and shouting their demands for climate justice.
The defacement of the Sagrada Familia has sparked a heated debate about the role of protest in raising awareness about important issues and the limits of civil disobedience. While some have praised the activists for their bravery in standing up for the environment, others have criticized their methods as disrespectful and harmful to cultural heritage.
Regardless of opinion, it is clear that the climate crisis is a pressing issue that requires urgent action. As the world continues to grapple with the impacts of global warming, it is up to all of us to take a stand and demand change.
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