At the Louvre in central Paris, two protesters wearing t-shirts that read “food counterattack” approached the Mona Lisa, a sixteenth century painting by Leonardo da Vinci according to BBC News. They are part of an environmental protest called the Riposte Alimentaire (Food Counterattack in French) who called for the right to have healthy and sustainable food within the social security system. Activists threw soup at the painting before chanting “What is more important? Art, or the right to healthy and sustainable food?” Museum security immediately showed up and put black screens in front of the painting before they calmly evacuated the “Salle des Etats” room, which houses the painting. In an email statement, the Louvre Museum announced that the Mona Lisa painting was not harmed and was protected by armored glass. The museum would file a complaint but it is not clear if the complaint went to law enforcement or to the activist group.
The two women claimed responsibility for the stunt. In a series of statements Food Counterattack posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, stating that they wanted to draw attention to the fact that there is unsustainable food production and hunger in France, according to CNN News. The activist group also demanded that the government utilize a food card worth €150 ($162.83) to be given to citizens each month to be used on healthy food, thereby integrating food into the social security system and giving farmers decent pay in the process.
Food has become a major issue in France. Angry farmers are setting up road blockades using their tractors and are slowing down traffic in order for their voices to be heard. They are seeking remuneration for their produce, which in turn gives protection from cheap imports. Some farmers even threatened to converge on Paris starting on Monday. They would block the main roads that lead to the capital, in the first potential major domestic crisis for new Prime Minister Gabriel Attal according to NBC News.
French Cultural Minister Rachida Dati condemned the protest on X according to CNN News. She was furious that people would attempt to arguably ruin the most famous painting in the world. “The Mona Lisa, like our heritage, belongs to future generations,” as she wrote. “No cause can justify it being targeted!” Millions of visitors each year come to see the Leonardo da Vinci painting. People want to see the details and inspiration of the artwork. After the incident, she personally congratulated all of the Louvre employees engaged in the cleanup and supported them in doing so.
