A group of mob-like “environmentalists has once again vandalised an ancient heritage site.” The historic monument traces its roots back to 3100 BCE, only to be met by recent events. What’s happened since?
Older Than Time
Stonehenge is a majestic and beautiful historical site. Some experts say it traces back to the Bronze Age. Despite it being a protected World Heritage Site, “environmental activists” still made their way to Wiltshire to deface the site.
The Orange Substance
Activists took to Stonehenge and fired it up with an orange substance from fire extinguishers. The residue settled between the ancient crevices of the stone structures and had to be removed with a motorised leaf blower.
Couldn’t Be Stopped
Reports of the event said that people nearby tried to stop the activists from their vandalising attack, but they couldn’t stop them. The persons responsible went through with the attack.
How Did They Get Past?
Protestors were said to have jumped over the barrier ropes separating the public from the heritage site.
The Culprits
The culprits reportedly responsible for vandalising Stonehenge are members of the “Just Stop Oil” environmentalist, activist, and climate change group.
The Group Has a Signature
The orange substance used on the stone structures also resembles the group’s colour of choice, “orange.” It also seems to be the signature colour of the activist group for their protesting antics.
Who Is Just Stop Oil?
Just Stop Oil are reportedly a group of activists fighting for environmental change. The group names themselves a “nonviolent civil resistance group demanding the UK Government stop licensing new oil, gas and coal projects,” as per the group’s website.
Just Stop Oil Protests and Actions
The activist group has defaced and vandalized many public, historical, and monumental places. Some of their disruptive actions involved spraying private jets at airports with orange substance.
Disrupted a Rugby Championship
Two Just Stop Oil protestors ran onto the field in the middle of the game during one of the rugby premiership matches at Twickenham. Before getting removed from the field, the pair distributed an orange paint-like substance into the air. Later, it was tested as cornstarch according to Evening Standard.
MPs Agree on Something
MPs from the Labour Party and the Conservative Party have condemned the act of vandalism and do not support it. Both Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak “agreed to disagree” with the protestors.
Starmer Is Not Having It
The Labour Party leader, Keir Starmer, has called the Just Stop Oil group “pathetic.” He also said those responsible should face the “full force of the law.”
Sunak Calls It Disgraceful
Rishi Sunak of the Conservative Party has also spoken out against the protesting group and called their actions “a disgraceful act of vandalism to one of the UK’s and the world’s oldest and most important monuments,” he said.
Arrests in the Stonehenge Attack
BBC reported three people involved in the Stonehenge attack have been arrested. A man in his 30s was arrested on “suspicion of aiding and rabbeting criminal damage.”
The Other Two Arrested
The other two individuals, according to CNN, one of the people arrested were a man in his 70s and a woman in her 20s. Each of the individuals received bail.
Salvaging Stonehenge
Authorities had to remove the orange residue. The removal of the orange substance was successfully achieved using a leaf blower.
No Damage, but Still There’s Concern
It’s reported that no physical or visible damage was seen, but the process used to remove the orange residue could leave lasting damage to the fragile and ancient stone material.
It’s Not the First Time the Ancient Site Was Vandalised
Protestors target places like Stonehenge, a heritage site that has previously been defaced. According to Stonehenge Circle News, in the 1950s, an overnight attack on the monument was executed by activists. One of the protestors painted what was supposed to have been a “peace” sign on two of the monuments.
Three Protesting in Cosplay
In 2007, The Fathers For Justice took to Stonehenge dressed as Fred Flinstone, climbed to the top, placed their banner on the stone, and continued standing there. The police had to wait for the men to come down alone.
Close-up Celebrations
There was free, managed open access, allowing the public to celebrate the summer solstice at Stonehenge this year, according to Stonehenge Stone Circle News and Information.
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Featured Image Credit: Pexels / Eren Cebeci.