Two people have been arrested after Just Stop Oil activists sprayed orange powder paint over Stonehenge, prompting condemnation from Rishi Sunak who called it a disgraceful act of vandalism to one of the UK’s oldest and most important monuments. Members of the public tried to intervene, with one visitor managing to wrestle a spray can from one of the protesters. Wiltshire police confirmed the arrests, stating that officers responded to reports of orange paint being sprayed on the stones and arrested two suspects on suspicion of damaging the ancient monument. The incident occurred as druids and revelers were preparing to gather at Stonehenge for the summer solstice. Just Stop Oil defended their actions, calling for a plan to phase out fossil fuels by 2030 to prevent catastrophic consequences for humanity.
Stonehenge sprayed in orange powder paint by Just Stop Oil activists | UK news
Two people have been arrested after Just Stop Oil activists sprayed orange powder paint over Stonehenge.
Rishi Sunak condemned the incident, saying: “This is a disgraceful act of vandalism to one of the UK’s and the world’s oldest and most important monuments.”
Members of the public attempted to stop the incident and a visitor managed to wrestle a spray can from one of the protesters.
Wiltshire police said: “We have arrested two people following an incident at Stonehenge this afternoon.
“At around noon, we responded to a report that orange paint had been sprayed on some of the stones by two suspects. Officers attended the scene and arrested two people on suspicion of damaging the ancient monument. Our inquiries are ongoing.”
The protest came as thousands of druids and revellers prepare to travel to the monument for the summer solstice.
In a statement, Just Stop Oil said it was time for “megalithic action” and called for the next UK government to agree a plan to stop the extraction and burning of oil, gas and coal by 2030.
It said: “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.”
Read the full story on www.theguardian.com
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/jun/19/stonehenge-sprayed-orange-powder-paint-just-stop-oil-activists