Documentary Reflection

July 6, 2026 By: David

The news I chose for this exercise was an instance where two individuals who were supporters of the Just Stop Oil movement threw an orange substance onto precious Vincent Van Gogh paintings.  This makes it the third time the National Gallery has fallen victim to environmentalists and their questionable antics to spread awareness and their messages.  This form of protest reminds me of the documentary, If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front, which addresses the extreme lengths environmental activists go in order to make a resounding statement.  While civil disobedience comes across as a surefire way to garner attention and news coverage, I question its effectiveness in spreading their messages and garnering support for their movement.  A study by the University of Pennsylvania reported that nearly 46% of people feel that disruptive climate or ecological protests decrease their support for climate change and protection.  At times, radical environmental protests invite hostile confrontation.  There was an instance where environmental activists sat on roads to prevent traffic from advancing, leading to a man getting out of his car and forcefully removing them to clear the roads.  To unassuming individuals, it could be perceived that these protestors are more interested in headlines rather than promoting their messages.  A successful and peaceful organization that has made tremendous strides in the environmentalist cause without causing commotion is the Divest Canada Coalition.  This organization prefers to make their statement through the financial system, divesting from companies that deal in fossil oil and instead investing in eco-friendly corporations and continuing to recruit supporters from universities across Canada, maintaining its grassroots heritage. In my opinion, this is the best way to combat climate change, as it directly impacts capitalists while remaining undisruptive.  While I will always be on the side of free speech and protest, it should be carried out more civilly and respectfully and by taking the fight directly to the corporations. 

Sources:

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c243v5m0r0lo

https://www.divestcanada.ca/what-is-divestment/

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/hqbZQghshbw 

https://web.sas.upenn.edu/pcssm/commentary/public-disapproval-of-disruptive-climate-change-protests/

Curry, Marshall. Director, writer, producer, and Sam Cullman, Co-Director, Producer. “If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front.” 2011. Marshall curry Productions, 1:25:40.