In a dramatic protest, members of the environmental group Just Stop Oil vandalized the historic Stonehenge monument with orange spray paint on June 19, 2024. The activists were quickly arrested by Wiltshire Police after dousing the ancient stones with orange-colored cornflour. The incident occurred just a day before the Summer Solstice celebrations, which attract thousands of visitors to the iconic site.
The activists, who were wearing Just Stop Oil t-shirts, approached the monument at around 11 AM and began spraying the orange powder. Visitors present at Stonehenge reacted with shock and attempted to intervene, shouting “no” and running towards the activists to stop them. Despite these efforts, the activists managed to carry out their plan before being detained by the police.
Just Stop Oil, known for its controversial methods to highlight the urgency of climate action, shared footage of the stunt on social media. The group stated that their actions were intended to pressure the incoming UK government to commit to a legally binding treaty to phase out fossil fuels by 2030. They argue that current commitments, like the “no new oil and gas” pledge, are insufficient to prevent catastrophic climate change and its impacts.
In their social media post, Just Stop Oil emphasized the dire consequences of continued fossil fuel use, claiming it could lead to millions of deaths. They also highlighted the need for international cooperation, drawing a parallel with the ancient stone circles found across Europe, symbolizing historical collaboration over vast distances. The group indicated that if governments do not take meaningful action, similar protests would occur across Austria, Canada, Norway, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.
The protest drew immediate condemnation from both the public and authorities. English Heritage, the organization responsible for the care of Stonehenge, expressed their dismay over the act. A spokesperson noted that the paint was made of cornflour and would wash away with rain but acknowledged the distress caused by the vandalism. They assured that the monument remains open to the public while their curators assess the extent of the damage.
As the police investigation continues, the arrested individuals face charges for damaging the monument, an offense that could lead to serious legal consequences. This incident has reignited the debate over the methods used by activist groups to draw attention to climate issues, with some viewing them as necessary and others as disruptive and damaging.
