Statement On The Sentencing of Anna Holland

Katie McFadden, Associate in the Criminal Defence team at Hodge Jones & Allen, responds to Anna Holland’s sentencing:

“We are deeply disappointed by the sentence handed down to Anna Holland at Southwark Crown Court following her conviction for criminal damage to the frame of Van Gogh’s Sunflowers at the National Gallery in October 2022, as part of a Just Stop Oil protest. Importantly, the painting itself was unharmed, and the Crown Prosecution Service has consistently acknowledged that Holland and her co-defendants knew the artwork was protected.

Holland received a 20-month custodial sentence for a protest designed to highlight the urgent connection between the climate crisis and the cost of living crisis. This sentence represents a troubling precedent for peaceful protest – a fundamental right in any democratic society.

Protest has always been disruptive by nature, and the intertwining of art and activism is a longstanding tradition. Historical examples, such as Suffragette Mary Richardson’s slashing of the Rokeby Venus in the National Gallery, are now viewed as pivotal in the fight for women’s rights. Holland’s actions—symbolically covering Sunflowers in soup—are already iconic and reflect the growing desperation of those seeking to bring attention to critical global issues.

The climate and cost of living crises are inflicting damage on countless lives daily. Holland’s actions, while controversial, were intended to raise awareness and spark change. The court’s rationale that the sentence serves as a deterrent raises serious concerns, especially in light of overcrowded prisons and strained resources. We question whether imprisoning peaceful protesters is an appropriate or effective response.

Successive legislative changes have chipped away at the hard-won right to protest, and it is alarming to see a rising number of peaceful demonstrators being criminalised and imprisoned. Holland’s case is a stark reminder of this trend, and we are actively considering an appeal against her sentence.”