we are all in denial about the climate crisis
LOL speak for yourself!
It was obviously asking about what comment the politicians have made
Why would you assume that? It was obviously asking about what comment the protesters have made, from the fact that they were asking about whether "they" had commented "on the reason for the protest, or just the act".
It depends on which "them" is being referred to in OP's comment. Assuming "them" are the protesters, then the answer provides what the protesters said, or at least what the organisation they represented said.
Did any of them comment on the reason for the protest, or just the act itself?
Pro-tip: if you have questions raised by an article's headlines, read the article.
"Just Stop Oil said the motivation behind the incident was to demand the next UK government end the extraction and burning of oil, gas and coal by 2030."
they should be concerned about acidic rain caused by air pollution. But you don't hear much about that, now do you?
+10 billion Internet points to this man
they're playing a silly game for attention without caring about the consequences
They're playing a silly but very serious game for attention, the same silly game that politicians and corporate PR departments play. And the protesters seem to care a very great deal about the consequences.
What would you have them deface?
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned the incident as a “disgraceful act of vandalism”.
Not as disgraceful as awarding oil drilling licenses to companies your family is invested in.
Leader of the Labour Party Sir Keir Starmer said the damage
There is no damage: 'Just Stop Oil said the orange powder paint was cornflour and it would "wash away with rain".'
was "outrageous"
Not as outrageous as forcefully replacing local Labour candidates with your own choices.
and described Just Stop Oil as "pathetic"
Not as pathetic as Labour's climate policies.
You're not making any sense.
Such as?