Parts of the prehistoric Stonehenge stones were left covered with orange power paint as part of a protest launched by climate activists.
The events led to the arrest of two individuals on suspicion of damaging the ancient monument, which is the world's most famous stone circle and is visited by more than a million people per year.
Highlights
- Parts of Stonehenge were spray-painted orange by climate activists from Just Stop Oil
- Two individuals, Rajan Naidu and Niamh Lynch, were arrested on suspicion of damaging the ancient monument
- Just Stop Oil demanded the UK government to end fossil fuel extraction and burning by 2030
- British PM Rishi Sunak called the act a disgraceful vandalism of one of the world's oldest monuments
Video footage shared online captured two protesters, belonging to the environmental group called Just Stop Oil, running toward Britain's Stonehenge around midday on Wednesday, June 19, the day before the summer solstice is celebrated at Stonehenge.
Britain's Stonehenge was sprayed with paint by environmental protesters in front of sightseers who were visiting the world-famous prehistoric megalithic structure on Wednesday
Image credits: Robert Anderson/Unsplash
Image credits: Just Stop Oil
While sightseers were marveling at the structures on Wednesday, the two protesters covered parts of Stonehenge's megaliths with orange powder paint.
Some of the visitors tried to intervene and shouted “no” with the hope of stopping the protesters from harming one of the most visited tourist spots in the UK.
Rajan Naidu, 73, and Niamh Lynch, 21, were named as the two campaigners who spray-painted the monument.
Two campaigners, part of the environmental group called Just Stop Oil, were captured on video running toward the structures and spraying paint over them
Image credits: Just Stop Oil
Image credits: Just Stop Oil
"We responded to a report that orange paint had been sprayed on some of the stones by two suspects," said a spokesperson for Wiltshire Police.
"Our enquiries are ongoing and we are working closely with English Heritage,” the spokesperson added.
In a press release put out by Just Stop Oil, the environmental group said they are demanding the incoming UK government end the extraction and burning of oil, gas, and coal by 2030.
The group is demanding the incoming UK government work with leaders from other countries to phase out the use of fossil fuels
“The UK’s government in waiting has committed to enacting Just Stop Oil’s original demand of ‘no new oil and gas’. However, we all know this is not enough,” a Just Stop Oil spokesperson was quoted saying. “Continuing to burn coal, oil and gas will result in the death of millions. We have to come together to defend humanity or we risk everything. That’s why Just Stop Oil is demanding that our next government sign up to a legally binding treaty to phase out fossil fuels by 2030.”
The group—known for its disruptive environmental protests such as shutting down major roads and causing a ruckus at culturing or sporting events—said that they would rally up supporters along with citizens from countries like Austria, Canada, and Norway to join their resistance this summer if their demand to phase out fossil fuels is not met.
"Continuing to burn coal, oil and gas will result in the death of millions. We have to come together to defend humanity or we risk everything," said a spokesperson for the environmental group
Image credits: Just Stop Oil
Image credits: Just Stop Oil
“Failure to commit to defending our communities will mean Just Stop Oil supporters, along with citizens from Austria, Canada, Norway, the Netherlands and Switzerland will join in resistance this summer, if their own Governments do not take meaningful action,” the spokesperson continued. “Stone circles can be found in every part of Europe showing how we’ve always cooperated across vast distances – we’re building on that legacy.”
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned the act that took place the day before visitors were expected to arrive at the UNESCO World Heritage Site to celebrate Summer Solstice.
Rishi Sunak called it a "disgraceful act of vandalism to one of the UK's and the world's oldest and most important monuments"
It was a "disgraceful act of vandalism to one of the UK's and the world's oldest and most important monuments," he said.
"Just Stop Oil should be ashamed of their activists, and they and anyone associated with them, including a certain Labour Party donor, should issue a condemnation of this shameful act immediately," he added.
Several social media users condemned the act and questioned how vandalism can stop climate change
