Peru to take legal action over Greenpeace stunt at ancient Nazca lines

[Big_Mike]

Source: The Guardian

Peru will seek criminal charges against Greenpeace activists who it says damaged the world-renowned Nazca lines by leaving footprints in the adjacent desert during a publicity stunt.

“It’s a true slap in the face at everything Peruvians consider sacred,” said Luis Jaime Castillo, the deputy culture minister, after the action by the environmental group on Monday, at the famed drawings etched into Peru’s coastal desert, a UN world heritage site.

The activists entered a “strictly prohibited” area beside the figure of a hummingbird, the culture ministry said. They laid big yellow cloth letters reading: “Time for Change! The Future is Renewable.” The message was intended for delegates from 190 countries at the UN climate talks being held in Lima.

The activists entered a “strictly prohibited” area beside the figure of a hummingbird, the culture ministry said. They laid big yellow cloth letters reading: “Time for Change! The Future is Renewable.” The message was intended for delegates from 190 countries at the UN climate talks being held in Lima.

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/10/peru-legal-action-greenpeace-stunt-nazca-lines

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I think this message needs to be delivered closer to the participants in Lima. You do not mess with historical sites, regardless of your intentions. Go to the top of a building that is close to the meeting and drape the signs. Not this.

Their footprints will be visible for hundreds of years. There was no reason to go to this location. These acts totally invalidate the message they are trying to provide...the change they have wrought on the site is not a change that should be renewed.

[defacto7]

1. It's sad when righteous positions and well meaning hearts

are devoid of common sense and experienced advisors. Ironically, that's exactly what happened in the last election. Well meaning left wing progressives shooting all of us in the knee from lack of common sense.

It takes more than anger and the will to tromp and scream to make a new way. It takes patience and long well thought out plans that consider all the consequences that could result.

[Recursion]

2. OFFS

Unfortunately Greenpeace sometimes approaches PETA levels of tone-deafness.

[Android3.14]

3. Have the Koch brothers (or similar ilk) infiltrated the leadership of progressive organizations?

This is so stupid, it almost seems like an opposition tactic.

[loudsue]

4. That was exactly what I was thinking! There is no way a bunch of liberal activists

would do that kind of thing. Liberals are nothing if not smarter and more respectful than the average person.

[Big_Mike]

5. It has always seemed to me that when righteous indignation occurs,

the brain sometimes shuts off.

Burning down your own neighborhood in a riot?

Look at the state of the Occupy camps when the protestors left - trash and human waste everywhere.

Some times, the good sense part of the brain is simply overloaded.

[HuckleB]

13. Greenpeace left respect behind long ago.

It has not helped anything for a very long time.

[Odin2005]

6. Greenpeace has jumped the shark.

Bunch of Latte Liberals who are into it just to show how progressive and enlightened they are.

[HuckleB]

12. +1

And they haven't been very fond of science for many years now.

[bigworld]

7. Who in Greenpeace organized this stunt?

Unfortunately a stunt like this will change no one's mind ... and in fact might turn many people away. Yes it will get press, but it will not help Greenpeace in the longterm.

I hope Greenpeace has a good answer.

[bigworld]

8. If Pepsi did something like this, Greenpeace would be appalled.

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--u_zC0GXO--/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_636/hd30z12kn5orooa9y1o1.jpg

[closeupready]

9. Furious about this. Not listening to any more

of their nonsense, and I was kind of a fan before this defacement.

[closeupready]

10. And I do hope those responsible go to prison, as it is a crime

punishable by up to six years.

[HuckleB]

11. Greenpeace has jumped the shark far too many times.

It is clearly now run by clowns. Ugh.

[ChazII]

14. More proof of ugly Americans. n/t

[branford]

15. I don't believe any citizens of the USA were involved with this crime.

Greenpeace itself is an international organization, but based primarily in the Netherlands. Moreover, from the articles I read about the incident, the activists were all citizen of various countries in Europe and South America.

However, your gratuitous and bigoted stereotyping is duly noted

[ChazII]

16. You are correct in that I erred

on the nationalities involved.

Being an American, I would have been ashamed had anyone from my country been involved.

Thank you for pointing out my mistake.

[branford]

17. Self-righteous idiocy knows no national boundaries.

Humans are emotional creatures, regardless of their country of origin or citizenship. Irrespective of whether their politics are left or right, ideology often trumps common sense and good judgment, and incidents like the the OP arise.

I would like to see those involved in defacing an archaeological treasure such as the Nazca to be properly punished as a clear message that such conduct will not be tolerated anywhere by anyone.

[ChazII]

18. On this we agree. n/t