Two activists arrested for vandalising a painting of Columbus at Madrid's Naval Museum

Police in Spain have charged two women activists from the Futuro Vegetal movement who are accused of throwing red paint over a historical artwork at Madrid's Naval Museum.

The demonstrators targeted José Garnelo's 'Primer homenaje a Cristóbal Colón' (First tribute to Christopher Columbus), on Sunday during an act of protest against the celebration of Spain's National Holiday.

The work, which bears witness to a highly symbolic episode in Spanish maritime history, was restored a few hours later thanks to the actions of the museum's staff.

The incident has sparked fresh debate about the protection of items deemed to illustrate Spain's history and artistic heritage.

Police sources reported that both women were arrested for a crime against heritage after being detained by a museum worker until authorities arrived.

Visitors were evicted during the intervention but hours later, the Navy announced on its social networks that the painting had been restored and that the work was once again on display.

The rapid restoration of the canvas allowed not only the painting to be recovered, but also part of the serenity of the space that surrounds it.

According to a statement from the Futuro Vegetal collective, the activists were carrying a banner with the slogan "12 October, nothing to celebrate**.** Ecosocial justice" and sought to denounce the consequences of historical and current colonialism.

Madrid's Reina Sofia Museum also targeted

On the same day, some twenty activists from the group Marea Palestina staged a sit-in in front of Guernicain the Reina Sofía Museum, holding signs with the phrase "Stop genocide".

The action forced the room to be cleared for a few minutes. The group explained that their protest was aimed at calling for a halt to the offensive in Gaza and demanding an arms embargo and the opening of humanitarian corridors. After about 40 minutes, the participants left the venue chanting "Long live free Palestine".