International- Two climate protesters were arrested for spraying orange powder paint on Stonehenge.
- The protesters were part of Just Stop Oil, a group demanding that the UK phase out fossil fuels.
Two climate protesters were arrested on Wednesday after they sprayed orange powder paint on Stonehenge, the prehistoric landmark in Wiltshire, England.
It was the latest action by Just Stop Oil, which is part of a network of civil disobedience groups that have defaced famous artwork, disrupted high-profile events, and protested outside at politicians' homes to call attention to the climate crisis. Just Stop Oil is demanding that the incoming UK government commit to ending the extraction and burning of oil, gas, and coal by 2030.
BREAKING: Just Stop Oil Spray Stonehenge Orange
— Just Stop Oil (@JustStop_Oil) June 19, 2024
2 people took action the day before Summer Solstice, demanding the incoming government sign up to a legally binding treaty to phase out fossil fuels by 2030.
Help us take megalithic action — https://t.co/R20S8YQD1j pic.twitter.com/ufzO8ZiDWu
Just Stop Oil said the protesters were Niamh Lynch, 21, a student at Oxford University, and Rajan Naidu, 73, from Birmingham.
"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," Lynch said in a statement.
The Wiltshire Police said they arrested two people on suspicion of damaging the ancient monument, but did not disclose names.
English Heritage, the charity that manages hundreds of historic places, and UK politicians criticized Just Stop Oil's actions on Wednesday.
"Obviously, this is extremely upsetting and our curators are investigating the extent of the damage," English Heritage posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. "More updates to follow but the site remains open."
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told news outlets, including the Guardian, that defacing Stonehenge was a "disgraceful act of vandalism to one of the UK's and the world's oldest and most important monuments."