December 12, 2014

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

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.