Environmental group Elokapina sprays paint on Finnish Parliament House columns in protest

On Wednesday morning, the environmental group Elokapina, along with the Swedish climate movement Återställ Våtmarker, sprayed red paint on the columns of the Finnish Parliament House. Police arrested eleven activists and are investigating the incident as a serious act of vandalism.

In a broadcasted interview, Elokapina activist Hertta Suolahti deemed the act of vandalism as absurd since the paint could be washed away with water and caused no serious damage to the building. “The Parliament House is still standing, it has not been destroyed, and the paint has been removed,” Suolahti stated.

Criminal law professor Sakari Melander explained that the severity of the vandalism charge is often influenced by the cultural and historical significance of the targeted site. He noted that whether the paint can be completely removed is not central to the criminal assessment. Convictions for serious vandalism can result in imprisonment ranging from four months to four years.

Suolahti emphasized that all disruptions caused by Elokapina had been temporary, pointing out that previous efforts to address climate issues had gone unheard, driving them to take such actions. She claimed that discussions about climate issues, particularly concerning peat extraction, have emerged among students in her class, reflecting a shift in public conversation.

While many members of parliament from various parties have condemned their actions, Suolahti explained that their non-violent approach signifies civic engagement in a democracy. She argued that while the paint incident represents a minor issue, the underlying climate crisis is of far greater importance.

Elokapina is prepared to face potential compensation claims, as Suolahti clarified that they do not systematically collect funds but instead cover costs individually.