stongehenge painted: activists charged for damaging monument

just stop oil climate activists charged

On June 19, 2024, two climate activists associated with Just Stop Oil made headlines by targeting Stonehenge, one of the UK’s most iconic cultural landmarks, with orange cornflour paint. The activists, identified as Niamh Lynch (21) and Rajan Naidu (73), sprayed the ancient monument in Wiltshire with the biodegradable substance, aiming to draw attention to climate change and government inaction.

An English Heritage spokesperson expressed dismay over the incident, stating: ‘Orange powdered paint has been thrown at a number of the stones at Stonehenge. Obviously, this is extremely upsetting, and our curators are investigating the extent of the damage.’ Despite the disruption, Stonehenge remained open to visitors, and immediate cleanup efforts revealed ‘no visible damage’ to the 5,000-year-old site.

On November 18th, 2024, Wiltshire Police announced that three activists involved in the Stonehenge protest had been charged. Luke Watson (35) was charged with aiding and abetting damage to a protected monument, while Lynch and Naidu faced charges of damaging an ancient site and causing a public nuisance. All three are set to appear in court on December 13th, 2024.

image via Just Stop Oil

‘disgraceful act of vandalism’ at stonehenge

Following the Stonehenge demonstration in June, Wiltshire Police responded swiftly, arresting Just Stop Oil climate activists Lynch and Naidu on-site on suspicion of damaging a protected monument. Members of the public reportedly tried to intervene during the protest. The police later issued a statement confirming that inquiries were ongoing. Meanwhile, the then UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, condemned the act, calling it a ‘disgraceful act of vandalism’ and emphasizing the monument’s cultural and historical significance.

In defense of their actions, Naidu explained that the orange cornflour powder was intended to create an ‘eye-catching spectacle’ that would wash away with the rain, unlike the long-lasting effects of climate inaction. Just Stop Oil reiterated their demands for an immediate end to fossil fuel extraction, urging the UK government to lead global efforts to phase out oil, gas, and coal by 2030.

Public visitors to Stonehenge were permitted to walk among the megalithic monument until 1977 when it was fenced off due to concerns that a spike in tourism would cause damage.

image via Just Stop Oil