Niamh Lynch : “Oil Protestors Arrested for Stonehenge Vandalism”

Two demonstrators from the environmental activist group Just Stop Oil made headlines on Wednesday after they sprayed Stonehenge in England with vibrant orange powder paint. The incident was captured in a video posted by the group on X.

The individuals involved in the protest have been identified as 21-year-old Niamh Lynch, a student at Oxford University, and 73-year-old Rajan Naidu from Birmingham. Following the paint-spraying action, they were promptly arrested as two bystanders attempted to intervene and prevent further damage.

Just Stop Oil released a statement explaining that the purpose of their demonstration was to urge the UK’s future government to commit to a “legally binding treaty to phase out fossil fuels by 2030.” With the upcoming general election scheduled for July 4, the group is advocating for decisive action to tackle climate change.

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Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned the act as “disgraceful vandalism,” while Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party and Sunak’s main electoral rival, described Just Stop Oil’s actions as “pathetic,” as reported by the Associated Press on Wednesday.

In a statement shared on X, Naidu reiterated the call for a “Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty” and clarified that the paint used was actually “orange cornflour.”

“We must either bring an end to the fossil fuel era or face the consequences of its continuation,” Naidu emphasized. Drawing parallels to past international treaties that addressed nuclear threats, he stressed the urgent need for a similar agreement to phase out fossil fuels and support affected economies and communities.

The statement further highlighted the temporary nature of the paint’s impact, noting that while the orange cornflour would wash away with rain, the critical need for government action to address the climate crisis remains. The plea to sign the treaty was reiterated.

English Heritage, the organization responsible for managing Stonehenge, announced an investigation into any potential damage caused by the protest.

Archaeologist Michael Pitts, an expert on Stonehenge, expressed concern about the impact on the ancient site, highlighting the significance of the prehistoric markings on the stones that require careful study and preservation.

The incident occurred just ahead of the summer solstice, a time when thousands typically gather at Stonehenge to mark the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

This action is the latest in a series of demonstrations by Just Stop Oil and affiliated groups advocating for climate action and the transition away from fossil fuels.