According to police, two persons have been arrested, and a Labour donor has responded to remarks made by Rishi Sunak about protests.
After Just Stop Oil protestors poured orange powder paint all over Stonehenge, two persons were taken into custody.
“This is a disgraceful act of vandalism to one of the UK’s and the world’s oldest and most important monuments,” said Rishi Sunak, denouncing the crime.
In response to Sunak’s statement that a “certain Labour party donor” ought to denounce the action, Dale Vince, a Labour donor and former supporter of Just Stop Oil (JSO), said: “Since Rishi Sunak has asked me personally to comment, I will.” To put it plainly, I oppose what JSO did today. However, we could concentrate on much more detrimental and far worse acts, such as plunging two million children and their families into poverty.
Keir Starmer, the head of Labour, called the organization “pathetic.” “The full force of the law must be applied to those responsible,” he declared.
People in the public tried to halt the spraying, and one of the demonstrators’ spray cans was taken by a visitor.
“We have arrested two people following an incident at Stonehenge this afternoon,” Wiltshire police stated. We were called around midday to investigate a claim that two suspects had painted orange paint on several of the stones. When police arrived, they detained two persons on suspicion of causing damage to the historic site. We continue to look into this.
As thousands of druids and celebrants got ready to head to the monument for the summer solstice, there was a protest.
Guide Sean Moran said: “It was heartbreaking.” I was furious. When it happened, we were enjoying ourselves and having a fantastic time. On those stones, live lichen is present. Global biologists [go] there to study it. Did they consider that?
King Arthur Pendragon, a prominent druid and pagan priest, declared that he “totally” disagreed with the Just Stop Oil demonstration and that the group’s methods “alienate any sympathy” for their cause.
“Stonehenge is a living, working temple at times of celebration and pilgrimage such as the summer solstice and, as a well-known protester myself, I totally disapprove of such behavior as demonstrated by these people, who do nothing to enhance and everything to alienate any sympathy anyone has or had for their cause,” stated Pendragon, an independent candidate for the local legislature.
The priest has participated in a number of protests at the monument in the past, and in 2017 he lost a judicial appeal alleging that a £15 car parking fee violated his human rights.
A visitor from Newcastle upon Tyne named Paul Anderson said: “We were around the other side and we saw a lot of orange mist.” I fail to understand how damaging a historic landmark in that way is a smart way to generate publicity. It’s unbelievable, coming from Newcastle, that the Sycamore Gap tree was taken down.
Elaine Anderson, his spouse, stated: “It has marred the day, but not the holiday.” I refuse to allow them. Dare you? It’s not what you would anticipate.
Mike and Julie, who visited Stonehenge from the west coast of the US and did not want to reveal their last names, expressed regret that the path surrounding the stones was blocked following the event. “They’re ruining it for people who came from all over the world to see it and have their moment,” Mike remarked.
JSO demanded in a statement that the upcoming UK government approve a plan to end the extraction and burning of coal, gas, and oil by 2030, saying that it was time for “megalithic action.”
Millions of people would perish if coal, oil, and gas were to continue being burned. To protect mankind, we must unite, or else we run the risk of losing everything. For this reason, Just Stop Oil is requesting that our upcoming government ratify a formal agreement to phase out fossil fuels by the year 2030.
