On January 13th, two Just Stop Oil activists defaced Charles Darwin’s grave in Westminster Abbey with orange spray chalk, writing “1.5 is dead” – a reference to exceeding the 1.5°C global warming threshold. The activists cited the ongoing sixth mass extinction as justification for their actions. Westminster Abbey confirmed the incident and reported minimal damage, while the Metropolitan Police arrested the two women involved for criminal damage. This act follows a pattern of high-profile protests by Just Stop Oil targeting various cultural and political sites.
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Rajan Naidu, 73, and Niamh Lynch, 22, have been charged with destroying or damaging an ancient protected monument and causing a public nuisance after allegedly throwing orange paint powder at Stonehenge during a Just Stop Oil protest. The incident occurred at the UNESCO World Heritage site, prompting images of protesters at the ancient stones to circulate widely. The Crown Prosecution Service authorized the charges, and both Naidu and Lynch have been bailed to appear in Salisbury Magistrates’ Court on December 13.
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Youth Demand, an offshoot of Just Stop Oil, has announced plans for nationwide pro-Palestine demonstrations in five British cities on Armistice Day, coinciding with Remembrance Sunday events. These “highly coordinated” protests aim to disrupt the commemoration of war veterans, sparking outrage among veterans’ groups. The demonstrations are planned to be disruptive, with organizers emphasizing the need to “swarm” and “cause disruption” before quickly dispersing to avoid arrest. Police have condemned the planned disruptions, emphasizing the importance of allowing Remembrance Day events to proceed without interruption.
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The recent news of Just Stop Oil activists spray-painting orange paint over Stonehenge has left me feeling a mix of frustration and disbelief. Stonehenge, dating back to the late Neolithic period, is not just an ancient relic but also a World Heritage Site and a symbol of immense historical and religious significance. So, why would anyone think defacing such a monument would further their cause?
The tactics employed by Just Stop Oil activists raise questions about the effectiveness of such public stunts in raising awareness about environmental issues. The use of orange paint, or in this case colored cornflour, on Stonehenge might wash away with the rain, but the damage caused by their actions is more than just superficial.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker