Outrage as Climate Activist Tim Martin Convicted in Landmark Trial

Washington, D.C. — April 8, 2025 — Declare Emergency stands in unwavering solidarity with

our team member Tim Martin, who was found guilty on two counts yesterday for his role in a

peaceful climate demonstration at the National Gallery of Art in 2023. The charges are

conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and injury to a National Gallery of Art

exhibit. Together they have a sentence up to 5 years in prison.

Tim’s conviction stems from the "Little Dancer" action he carried out alongside fellow activist

Joanna Smith, in which the pair briefly disrupted the space around Edgar Degas’ Little Dancer

Aged Fourteen sculpture with paint and speaking out for folks to hear. There was paint placed

on the plexiglass case surrounding the statue - the Government did not present evidence of

harm to the statue itself. The action was a nonviolent protest designed to call attention to the

escalating climate emergency and to urge the U.S. Government to take immediate and

meaningful action to address it. The paint used during the protest was selected specifically to

avoid causing any lasting harm, and the artwork was unharmed.

Throughout the trial, which concluded yesterday in the Prettyman U.S. Federal District

Courthouse, Tim remained resolute in his message: that peaceful civil disobedience is both a

moral responsibility and a necessary tool in the face of governmental inaction on climate. On the

witness stand we heard from an FBI investigator, who explained the necessity of escalation as

previous actions weren’t yielding results. We also heard from multiple witnesses for the

government who stated there was no damage to the Degas sculpture visible by the naked eye

or able to be proven otherwise. The Little Dancer is/was protected from harm by the lexan case

and sturdy pedestal in a climate-controlled environment, however, our children, grandchildren,

nieces and nephews have no such protection in our world of Climate

Emergency/Catastrophe/Disaster.

The court's decision to convict him reflects the broader pattern of our nation punishing those

who speak out for human rights to a livable future, while shielding their true purpose which is to

protect global speculative algorithmic capital and commerce that is most responsible for ongoing

social and environmental devastation. This repression of emergency climate justice relates to

the Supreme Court’s Denial of Julianna vs. USA youth climate case and fellow Declare

Emergency supporter Bob Atchinson’s attempt to have his D.C. Superior case rejection of his

necessity defense heard by the Supreme Court. Atchinson’s petition for certiorari is pending with

the Supreme Court.

“I’m grateful I had the chance to testify to a jury of my peers in court, and it's nice that the court

found no evidence of damage to the Little Dancer sculpture which clears Joanna's and my

name,” said Tim Martin following the ruling. “A not guilty verdict would’ve affirmed that my

warning about climate collapse was heard, but I understand — it’s hard to face the truth. We’re

living in the heart of an empire built on denial, disinformation, and unsustainable violence. Most

people are still waking up to that reality.”

Declare Emergency is a grassroots organization committed to bold, nonviolent civil resistance to

confront the climate crisis and demand urgent government response. We denounce this verdict

as an unjust attack on peaceful activism and government overreach.

"We continue to call on the Trump administration and our elected officials to declare a climate

emergency and mobilize resources accordingly," said Declare Emergency core member

Anastasia Rogers. "We remain committed to working together to build a mass movement

capable of shifting the political and cultural landscape toward real climate repair and justice.

Tim’s courage will continue to inspire our work and the work of climate protectors everywhere."

Tim’s sentencing is scheduled for August 22nd at 9:30am. We have already posted detailed

updates throughout the trial on our X and Bluesky accounts which will continue throughout

sentencing. To donate to legal expenses incurred, supporters can visit

https://www.declareemergency.org/donate.