Stonehenge Vandalized by Climate Change Protesters, Two Arrested

Two protesters from the activist group Just Stop Oil were arrested on Wednesday after spraying Stonehenge in England with orange powder paint. The act was captured in a video posted by the group on X (formerly Twitter).

Details of the Protest

The protesters were identified as 21-year-old Oxford student Niamh Lynch and 73-year-old Birmingham resident Rajan Naidu. They were apprehended shortly after the incident when two bystanders attempted to prevent them from throwing the paint.

Just Stop Oil issued a statement explaining that the protest aimed to urge the UK’s next government to commit to a "legally binding treaty to phase out fossil fuels by 2030." This call to action comes ahead of the UK's general election set for July 4.

Reactions

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned the protest, calling it a “disgraceful act of vandalism,” while Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party and Sunak’s primary electoral challenger, described Just Stop Oil as “pathetic” in his response reported by the Associated Press.

In his statement on X, Naidu called for a “Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty” and explained that the paint used was “orange cornflour.” He emphasized the urgency of ending the fossil fuel era to avoid catastrophic climate consequences. Naidu stated, “The orange cornflour we used to create an eye-catching spectacle will soon wash away with the rain, but the urgent need for effective government action to mitigate the catastrophic consequences of the climate and ecological crisis will not. Sign the treaty!”

Potential Damage and Investigation

English Heritage, the organization responsible for managing Stonehenge, is currently investigating the site for any potential damage. Michael Pitts, an archaeologist and expert on Stonehenge, expressed concern about the impact on the monument. He highlighted the sensitivity of the megaliths and the presence of prehistoric markings that have yet to be fully studied, noting that any surface damage is highly concerning.

Context and Previous Actions

This protest occurred just one day before the summer solstice, a time when thousands gather at Stonehenge to celebrate the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. It is the latest in a series of actions by Just Stop Oil and other related groups advocating for urgent climate action.