Stonehenge Vandalized with Orange Powder Paint by Environmental Activists

The iconic Stonehenge, a prehistoric megalithic structure on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, became the target of vandalism when two activists from the environmental group Just Stop Oil decided to cover it in orange powder paint. The act, carried out by 73-year-old Rajan Naidu from Birmingham and 21-year-old student Niamh Lynch from Oxford, took place just before the Summer Solstice celebrations at the 5,000-year-old site.

Wiltshire Police promptly arrested the individuals on suspicion of damaging the ancient monument. The paint, made from cornflour, was claimed to be washable and environmentally friendly. Just Stop Oil aims to raise awareness about the urgent need to halt the extraction and burning of fossil fuels by 2030 to prevent potential catastrophic consequences for humanity.

English Heritage, the guardian of Stonehenge, expressed dismay over the incident. The organization stated that experts are assessing the damage, which was described as “extremely upsetting.” Despite the vandalism, the site remains open to visitors, although some stones near the public path were visibly stained with the powder.

While the superficial impact on the stones seemed minimal, BBC correspondent Paul Clifton emphasized the importance of a thorough evaluation by experts to determine any lasting effects. Tourists visiting the site were understandably confused, but site managers and security were vigilant in monitoring the area.

Just Stop Oil strategically chose the day before the Summer Solstice festival to stage their protest, coinciding with the time when crowds assemble at Stonehenge to mark the summer solstice. The group’s spokesperson underlined the necessity for immediate action, urging the government to commit to phasing out fossil fuels by 2030 through a legally binding treaty.

Reacting to the vandalism, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned it as “disgraceful vandalism,” while Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer labeled it as “outrageous” and criticized Just Stop Oil’s actions as “pathetic”. Despite the backlash, the group remains determined to draw attention to the pressing issue of fossil fuel consumption and its detrimental impact on the planet.