Activists vandalize Wall Street’s Charging Bull for Earth Day, then proceed to clean the statue afterward.

On April 22, 2025, Earth Day was marked by a provocative act of protest in Lower Manhattan, where a group of activists from the environmental organization Extinction Rebellion defaced the iconic Charging Bull statue. Situated in the Financial District, this bronze sculpture by Arturo Di Modica, which symbolizes the strength and resilience of Wall Street, became a focal point for the activists who aimed to highlight what they perceive as the financial sector’s complicity in climate change.

Eyewitness accounts and social media videos depict a small group of Extinction Rebellion members spray-painting messages such as “Greed=Death” on the bull’s flank and covering its head in green paint. In a further display of protest, they positioned stockings filled with debris from the statue’s rear, creating an impactful visual that suggested the bull was defecating on a cutout of Earth. The statement was a clear indictment of the prioritized profits over the health of the planet.

This act of vandalism was executed swiftly, as the activists appeared to clean up most of the paint before police arrived on the scene. Signs bearing messages like “No profits on a dead planet” were exhibited prominently during the demonstration. Despite the defacement, law enforcement did not make any immediate arrests, although one officer was seen removing an activist who had climbed onto the bull’s neck.

The Charging Bull, a 7,100-pound emblem of financial might, has faced similar protests throughout its history. It was installed in 1989 and has since served as a target for various activist movements advocating against corporate greed and environmental neglect. Previous incidents of vandalism, including a notable attack in 2019 where a man assaulted the statue, underscore its controversial status as a symbol of capitalism.

As climate change continues to escalate, protests by groups like Extinction Rebellion seem likely to become more frequent as they push for significant systemic change. These events serve as stark reminders of the growing urgency surrounding environmental advocacy and the lengths activists will go to communicate their messages. While the statue was restored shortly after the incident, the dialogue surrounding the intersection of finance and environmental responsibility remains open and unsettled.

This incident exemplifies the ongoing tension between financial interests and environmental sustainability, as more activists leverage public art and iconic symbols to amplify their calls for urgent action. The actions taken on Earth Day serve not only as a moment of civil disobedience but also as a critical point of reflection on the relationship between economic systems and ecological outcomes.

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