Two activists from the group “Ostatnie Pokolenie” (Last Generation) could face up to 8 years in prison after vandalizing Warsaw’s iconic Mermaid monument with orange paint in March. The environmental group, known for disruptive protests in Poland’s capital, claimed responsibility for the act, which involved throwing a mixture of water, potato starch, and food coloring on the statue. They maintain the action was harmless, yet city officials report otherwise.
Warsaw Deputy Mayor Renata Kaznowska revealed that the damage to the sandstone base of the monument required professional restoration, costing 360,000 PLN. The activists, Julia and Marianna, are now facing serious legal consequences, as prosecutors have filed charges against them. Ostatnie Pokolenie, however, claims the charges are politically motivated, dismissing the damage and stating their protest was aimed at raising awareness of environmental issues.
Despite facing prosecution, the group continues to rally support on social media, raising funds to cover legal expenses and promising to intensify their protests. They have framed the legal action as an attempt to intimidate them into silence, while vowing to press on with more demonstrations.
This case has sparked debate over the line between protest and vandalism, as well as the balance between activism and public responsibility.