Members of the UK group Just Stop Oil carried out a protest action by covering Stonehenge with orange spray. The incident was captured on video, which the activists shared on social media. In their statement, they explained the reasons why they decided to carry out such an act against the UNESCO-listed monument and outlined their demands.
The activists explained that the action was intended to draw the government’s attention to the need to sign a binding treaty to phase out fossil fuels by 2030. Their action was meant to be an appeal to the authorities to take urgent action in the face of the climate crisis. Just Stop Oil protesters stressed that the continued burning of coal, oil and gas threatens the lives of millions of people and that it is necessary to unite in defence of humanity. They also assured that the substance they used would wash away at the first rain.
Photo X/@JustStop_Oil
Footage of the event shows two activists painting the famous stones from the Neolithic Age, despite attempts by random tourists and site security to stop them. The action took place the day before the summer solstice, which also had symbolic significance. A spokesperson for Just Stop Oil, quoted by foreign media, expressed the group’s position, stressing that a lack of action by the government would force activists and citizens from other countries such as Austria, Canada, Norway, the Netherlands and Switzerland to take similar actions during the summer.
The group explained why they had specifically chosen Stonehenge as the target of their protest. They stressed that stone circles across Europe are proof that people have always worked together, even across great distances, and that they want to refer to this heritage in their fight for a better future. The action was led by student Niamh Lynch and Birmingham resident Rajan Naidu. The woman explained that Stonehenge is a site where the summer solstice is celebrated, which is also a celebration of nature. However, she stressed that the state of nature is deteriorating, with the result that there will soon be nothing to celebrate.
“Stonehenge at the solstice is a celebration of the natural world, but look at the state of it! We all have the right to live a life free from suffering, but the continued burning of oil, coal and gas is leading to death and suffering on a massive scale. It is time to reflect on the legacy our civilisation will leave behind,” – lynch concluded.
Wiltshire Police said they received a report of the incident at around midday local time. Officers arrived at the scene and arrested two people on suspicion of damaging the ancient monument. Police are working closely with English Heritage, the organisation that manages the site. This one described the incident as “extremely disheartening” and reported that their custodian is investigating the extent of the damage.
Recently, a group of climate activists similarly damaged a statue of Warsaw’s Mermaid, dousing it with paint in protest.
Source: national-geographic.pl, polsatnews.pl
Read also: Architecture | Britain | Monument | History | Ecology
