Maybe it’s not about the actions themselves but raising public awareness for an issue. And as such they have obviously succeeded.

Destroy a bit of concrete = fairly big media coverage but probably just minor fines

Destroy a whole DC = very big media coverage but also probably many years in prison

But what do I know, I’m sure that I’m also insanely dumb.

I am not so sure. It creats activity, being passive is worse. We should encourage all type of protests, even petitions.