Two activists from the environmental organization Just Stop Oil were arrested on Wednesday for spraying paint on the monoliths of the famous British prehistoric site of Stonehenge, according to police and the environmental defense group itself.
Arrests and Statements
Police in Wilshire, southwest England, issued a statement announcing the arrest of two suspects. Meanwhile, Just Stop Oil, which advocates an end to the exploitation of fossil fuels, claimed responsibility for the act, ensuring that the powder paint used “will soon disappear in the rain.”
In a video circulating on social media, two men can be seen running towards the huge stones that form a circle at Stonehenge and spraying the monoliths with orange dust, while some people try to stop them. “Officers responded to the scene and arrested two people suspected of damaging the monument,” the police reported, just as the site prepares to receive thousands of visitors during the summer solstice.
Just Stop Oil Statements
The environmental organization stated in X that the substance used “will soon disappear with the rain, but the urgent need for effective government action to mitigate the catastrophic consequences of the climate and ecological crisis will not.”
What is Stonehenge?
Built in stages between approximately 3000 and 2300 BC, Stonehenge is considered one of the most important prehistoric megalithic monuments in the world due to its size, sophisticated plan and architectural precision. Its standing stones, which form a set of mysterious circles, attract thousands of people each year for the pagan summer solstice festivities.
Reactions to the Act
British Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak denounced “a shameful act of vandalism against one of the oldest and most important monuments in the United Kingdom and the world.” The government has had to deal with Just Stop Oil’s harsh actions over the past two years, which have included attacks on works of art, disruptions to sports competitions and shows. In response, the law on the right to demonstrate has been tightened in an attempt to prevent the actions of this group, founded in February 2022, which calls for an end to the exploitation of fossil energy before 2030.
Labor leader Keir Starmer, favorite to become prime minister after the July 4 election, has also criticized Just Stop Oil’s modus operandi. Controversy continues to grow as debate over how to tackle the climate crisis and activists’ tactics continues to take center stage in the UK’s political and social scene.
Reflection
The action by Just Stop Oil activists has generated an intense debate about the limits of protest and the need for urgent action in the face of the climate crisis. While some see the act as a way to draw attention to a critical problem, others consider it an unacceptable act of vandalism. The discussion on how to balance freedom of expression and the protection of cultural heritage remains open.
