Oil opponents attack again: Arrest for painting the Stonehenge monument

(LAUREN TAYLOR)

It is an incident that provokes outrage and condemnation –

TWO CLIMATE PROTESTERS SPRAYED ORANGE PAINT ON THE ANCIENT STONEHENGE MEMORIAL ON WEDNESDAY AS PEOPLE TRIED TO STOP THEM – BEFORE THE TWO WERE ARRESTED.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called it a “disgraceful act of vandalism” and English Heritage, which manages the historic site, said it was “extremely disturbing”.

THE ATTACK ON THE HOLY SITE COMES JUST ONE DAY BEFORE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE GATHER AT THE 4,500-YEAR-OLD STONE CIRCLE TO CELEBRATE THE SUMMER SOLSTICE.

JUST STOP OIL, THE GROUP ACCLAIMING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE INCIDENT, IS CALLING ON THE NEW BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO COMMIT TO “ENDING OIL, GAS AND COAL EXTRACTION BY 2030.”

THE LABOUR PARTY HAS SAID IT WOULD STOP ISSUING OIL AND GAS LICENCES IF IT WIN THE JULY 4 ELECTION. JUST STOP OIL AGREES WITH THE MORATORIUM BUT SAID IT DOESN’T GO FAR ENOUGH.

THE ACTIVIST GROUP ARGUES THAT THE VANDALISM IS SUPERFICIAL – THE PAINT IS MADE FROM CORN STARCH – AND CAN BE EASILY WASHED AWAY.

JUST STOP OIL RELEASED A STATEMENT FROM ONE OF THE ACTIVISTS AFTER THE INCIDENT:

(Z3: RAJAN NAIDU)

“THIS ACTION HAS NOT HARMED HIM IN ANY WAY. WE ARE VERY CAUTIONFUL IN THIS RESPECT. BUT WE MADE IT TO YOUR AWARENESS AND THE REASON WE DID THAT IS BECAUSE WE HAVE SOMETHING ELSE WE WANT TO PRESERVE, WHICH IS THE BIOSPHERE OF OUR PLANET.”

(LAUREN TAYLOR)

THE ORGANISATION IS ONE OF MANY GROUPS ACROSS EUROPE THAT HAVE GAINED FAME FOR SPLASHING PAINT AND FOOD ON FAMOUS WORKS OF ART, DISRUPTING SPORTING EVENTS AND STOPPING TRAFFIC TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE.

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