A climate protestor dressed as an old woman in a wheelchair got a front-row seat to see the Mona Lisa only to spring up, cake in hand, dodging the Louvre security. Tourists watched in horror as the man then slammed his fist onto the protective, bulletproof, glass and finally smeared the cake only to be tackled by security moments later. The painting was not damaged.
Oh my God! Mona Lisa!
— Anna (@AnnaART89333) May 30, 2022
Hopefully not too much damage! pic.twitter.com/mjugzDgc9B
The man was not identified, but videos surfaced on social media of him speaking French, saying people were "destroying the planet" and "that's why I did it."
As the security guards apprehended the man he began throwing roses at their feet. As they led him away he said, "Think about the Earth. There are people who are destroying the Earth. Think about it ... all artists, think about the Earth — this is why I did this. Think about the planet."
The Louvre put out a statement on Monday saying the painting sustained no damage and the man apparently had the cake hidden in his personal belongings. An investigation has been opened and the man will remain in police custody until they make a decision about his mental health.
A man who faked a disability to get close to the Mona Lisa in a wheelchair stood up and smeared a pastry on its glass case on Sunday, according to the Louvre museum in Paris. The man, who a witness said had “dressed as an old lady,” was taken into custody.https://t.co/pbRIW7oMkz pic.twitter.com/rFabufaT1Z
— The New York Times (@nytimes) May 31, 2022
The man was trying to channel Leonardo Di Vinci to help save us from climate change. His disguise doesn't look too convincing either. How the museum didn't see the cake hidden under his stuff is very strange. Do they not check little old ladies for cakes these days?
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