A group of activists from Just Stop Oil have marked sections of the historic Stonehenge monument with a coating of orange powder paint. The demonstration, involving Rajan Naidu, 73, and Niamh Lynch, 21, saw the public rush in to stop the actions mid-Wednesday. Evidence shared online displayed two individuals donning white shirts, emblazoned with Just Stop Oil, approaching the prehistoric structure with containers of orange paint. A few of the standing stones – relics from the concluding stages of the Neolithic era – were pictured smeared in the protruding orange hue, observed before one campaigner positioned themselves on the lawn as the other was restrained by an onlooker. This outcome unfolded on an early Wednesday afternoon, just prior to the festivities of the summer solstice at Stonehenge; a heart of a World Heritage site.
Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister of Britain has exposed his dissatisfaction at the act, deeming it as an appalling display of defacement towards a globally recognised and profound monument of both the UK and the world.
The Wiltshire police reported attending the location to place two individuals under arrest. The spokesperson affirmed the procedure is presently a work in progress and that critical collaboration with English Heritage is being actioned.
English Heritage reported their experts are testing the level of the destruction caused to the stones. A representative asserted that the showering of the orange powder paint on the stones was an alarming act and the organisation is determining the resulting destruction’s scope. Stonehenge remains accessible to the general public.
Just Stop Oil declared they committed this act to prod the incoming UK government to reach an agreement with foreign governments about halting oil, gas and coal extraction and consumption by 2030. The organisation stated that the orange paint, made from cornflour, would be easily washed away by the rain.
In 2023, approximately 8,000 individuals assembled at Stonehenge to commemorate the year’s longest day. A similar count is anticipated for this Thursday.
Thursday’s solstice event commences at 7pm and persists until 8am on Friday.