France: Activists throw soup at Mona Lisa amid farmers’ protest

Amid nationwide protests of farmers in France, two climate activists threw soup at the Mona Lisa painting at Louvre Museum in Paris on Sunday.

Video footage that emerged in the social media showed two women flinging red soup at Leonard da Vinci's masterpiece.

"What is more important? Art or the right to have a healthy and sustainable food system?" shouted the activists in French.

"Our farming system is sick. Our farmers are dying at work," they added.

The activists belonged to the French organisation "Riposte Alimentaire" (Food Response). The statement issued by the organisation said the protest sought to highlight the need to protect the environment and sources of food.

The Louvre staff arrived at the scene after the incident and covered the painting by putting black panels. They asked the visitors to evacuate the room immediately.

This is not the first time Mona Lisa is becoming a center of protest. In May 2022, the glass in front of the painting was smothered in cream in a protest.

Meanwhile, French farmers are continuing with their protest setting up blockades and affecting the traffic in many parts of the nation. Better remuneration for their produce, less red tape and protection against cheap imports are among the main demands slated by the farmers in front of the government.

Despite government, on Friday, announcing series of measures to address the farmers' issues, they do not seem satisfied.

Some farmers threatened to converge on Paris, starting Monday, to block the main roads leading to the capital.

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal visited a farm on Sunday in the central region of Indre-et-Loire and acknowledged that farmers are in a difficult position. Attal promised to take measures to address farmers' concerns.