In a shocking act of protest, the National Archives rotunda and galleries in Washington, D.C. were forced to close early on Wednesday afternoon after two climate change activists made a bold statement by dumping red powder on the encasement holding the U.S. Constitution. The National Archives, in a press release, reassured the public that the Constitution remained unharmed due to the protective measures in place.

The two men responsible for the incident, identified as 35-year-old Donald Zepeda and 27-year-old Jackson Green, were swiftly detained and escorted out of the premises by security personnel. Both individuals are residents of Washington, D.C. The Metropolitan Police Department is currently investigating the matter, and the extent of damage to the rotunda is being assessed by the agency's conservators.

The motive behind the act became apparent when a video surfaced on social media, capturing the moment the two men, completely covered in the red powder, stood in front of the glass case housing the U.S. Constitution. The video revealed the activists passionately delivering prepared speeches about climate change, emphasizing the need for clean air, water, food, and a livable climate for all. "We are determined to foment a rebellion," one of the men declared.

The climate change activism group, Declare Emergency, confirmed that two of its members were indeed taken into custody at the National Archives. This incident follows a recent trend of climate change activists targeting renowned institutions, such as art galleries, with similar acts of protest. In recent weeks, activists have made headlines by smearing cake over the “Mona Lisa” and splashing soup over "Sunflowers."

As a result of this incident, the National Archives rotunda will remain closed on Thursday for thorough cleaning. However, the rest of the building will continue to be open to visitors as per its regular schedule. The Archivist of the United States, Colleen Shogan, expressed her deep concern regarding the vandalism, stating, "The National Archives Rotunda is the sanctuary for our nation's founding documents. They are here for all Americans to view and understand the principles of our nation. We take such vandalism very seriously, and we will insist that the perpetrators be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

The National Archives building, which houses invaluable historical documents, including the U.S. Constitution, serves as a symbol of the nation's heritage and the principles upon which it was built. While the incident caused temporary disruption, the National Archives and Records Administration aims to ensure that the public can continue to access and appreciate these important artifacts.