The trial against nine climate activists, held on May 21, 2026, has requested a sentence of one year and nine months in prison, plus the joint payment of 5,800 euros for cleaning costs. The protest, which took place in 2023 in front of the Congress of Deputies, involved throwing red paint on the building's steps, coinciding with the trial of 15 other activists from Scientific Rebellion for a similar act in 2022.
The technological cost of cleaning climate activism 🛠️
Removing paint from historic stone requires specialized techniques, such as controlled-pressure hydro-washers and biodegradable solvents. These methods, used in facade restoration, prevent damage to porous material. The 5,800 euro expense reflects the use of precision equipment and qualified personnel, similar to that used in cleaning graffiti from protected monuments. However, the real cost includes drying time and assessment of potential micro-cracks.
Red paint, more expensive than ecological discourse 🎨
For 5,800 euros, the activists could have bought 1,160 liters of eco-friendly paint or funded a recycling workshop for the entire neighborhood. But they chose to decorate the Congress steps, perhaps so that deputies would remember that climate change stains, even though they prefer carpets. Of course, at least the paint was red, not green: nobody wants their protest to be mistaken for a scorned gardener.