Climate activists doused Stonehenge with orange paint
Just Stop Oil activists vandalised Stonehenge with orange paint, one day before the site's Summer Solstice celebrations, Kazinform News Agency reports.
The demonstration, aimed at urging the UK government to end fossil fuel extraction by 2030, saw two individuals deface the historic monument near Salisbury, Wiltshire.
🚨 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
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned the act as "disgraceful vandalism." English Heritage, the site's custodian, labelled the incident "extremely upsetting," and Wiltshire Police have arrested two suspects on suspicion of damaging the ancient landmark.
Despite the protest, Stonehenge remains open to the public, with curators assessing the damage. Just Stop Oil emphasised that the paint, made from cornflour, would wash away with rain. The incident has sparked a broader debate on the balance between activism and the preservation of cultural heritage.
