Rajan Naidu : “Stonehenge Unscathed by Protest Paint”

In a shocking turn of events, Stonehenge, the iconic ancient monument in southern England, was targeted by climate protesters who sprayed orange paint on the historic stones. However, thanks to the swift action of workers, the 4,500-year-old monument remains undamaged.

Nick Merriman, the chief executive of English Heritage, confirmed that the stones were cleaned and showed no visible signs of damage. Speaking to BBC Radio 4, Merriman expressed deep sadness at the incident, calling it a “vandalism to one of the world’s most celebrated ancient monuments.”

Summer Solstice Celebrations at Stonehenge

Despite the vandalism, Stonehenge reopened to the public in time for the summer solstice celebrations. The UNESCO World Heritage Site was expected to attract thousands of visitors marking the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

Stonehenge, with its mysterious origins and alignment with the summer and winter solstices, has long been a site of spiritual significance. The stone circle draws crowds of druids, sun worshippers, and curious visitors alike.

Arrests Made in Connection with Vandalism

Following the incident, a 73-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and deterring a person from engaging in a lawful activity. The climate change activism group Just Stop Oil claimed responsibility for the vandalism.

Video footage released by the group showed the perpetrators spraying orange paint on the stones before being stopped by onlookers. The paint, made of cornstarch, was said to dissolve in the rain.

Political and Public Outrage

The vandalism at Stonehenge was met with swift condemnation from political leaders. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described it as a “disgraceful act of vandalism,” while Labour leader Keir Starmer called the group “pathetic.”

Just Stop Oil continued their protest by spray painting private jets at an airport outside London, leading to the arrest of two women. The group’s disruptive actions have caused widespread criticism and legal repercussions.