Video footage of a dramatic climate protest has gone viral on social media as two individuals from ‘Just Stop Oil’ who claim to confront fossil fuel elites, shows two people running up to the ancient monoliths at Stonehenge and covering them in and orange substance.
Just stop oil protestors damage Stonehenge 😭
— Stonehenge U.K (@ST0NEHENGE) June 19, 2024
pic.twitter.com/HSQvfWIdNh
According to Daily Mail the culprits are a 21-year-old student from Oxford and a 73-year-old from Birmingham.
Both are now in custody for allegedly defacing the historical site.
This bold protest, which may have damaged several of the Neolithic stones took place just a day before the grand summer solstice celebration at Stonehenge, drawing anger and intrigue alike.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned the act as a “disgraceful act of vandalism” against one of the world’s most cherished monuments.
A spokesperson for Just Stop Oil defended the action, stating, “The UK’s government in waiting has committed to our demand of ‘no new oil and gas,’ but it’s not enough. Burning fossil fuels threatens millions of lives. We must unite to defend humanity or risk everything. We demand the next government sign a legally-binding treaty to phase out fossil fuels by 2030. If they don’t, Just Stop Oil supporters and citizens from Austria, Canada, Norway, the Netherlands, and Switzerland will resist this summer if their governments don’t take meaningful action.”
While many are furious at the protesters’ actions, some voiced support.
An archaeologist noted, “This action at Stonehenge was incredibly well done. It’s cornstarch that will wash off in the rain, and it captured the attention of tens of thousands online. So much respect.”
As an archaeologist and a supporter of Just Stop Oil, I think this action at Stonehenge was incredibly well done. It's cornstarch that will wash off in the rain, and its captured the attention of tens of thousands of people online. So much respect 🧡 https://t.co/aBuDw2JUrz
— Ams (@amelia_halls) June 19, 2024
The incident has sparked widespread debate and attention, making waves just as the solstice approaches.
