Stonehenge, the historic and renowned landmark in Wiltshire, UK, sparked a heated discussion on June 19, 2024, when it was targeted by Just Stop Oil campaigners. Around midday, two members of the group, Niamh Lynch, a 21-year-old Oxford University student, and Rajan Naidu, a 73-year-old Birmingham resident, sprinkled orange cornflour powder over the prehistoric stones. Wiltshire police responded quickly and arrested them on suspicion of causing damage to the monument.
The response from English Heritage, the organization responsible for managing Stonehenge, was one of immediate concern and investigation. A spokesperson noted, “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. Stonehenge remains open to the public.” The swift reaction by both the authorities and bystanders, who attempted to stop the protesters, underscored the public’s protective sentiment towards this historical site.
In his statement, Rajan Naidu supported the protest by highlighting the paint’s transient nature. “The orange cornflour we used to create an eye-catching spectacle will soon wash away with the rain, but the urgent need for effective government action to mitigate the catastrophic consequences of the climate and ecological crisis will not,” he said. Niamh Lynch underlined similar concern, connecting the protest to the larger topic of environmental protection, which Stonehenge symbolically embodies. “Stonehenge during the solstice is all about honoring nature, yet look at its state! We all have a right to live a life devoid of misery, yet prolonged burning of oil, coal, and gas is causing death and suffering on an unprecedented scale,” she stated.
The political reactions were swift and polarized. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned the act as “disgraceful vandalism,” while Labour Party leader Keir Starmer dismissed Just Stop Oil as “pathetic.” The timing of the protest, just a day before the summer solstice celebrations when thousands gather at Stonehenge, added to the controversy.
Just Stop Oil’s actions aimed to pressure the UK government into committing to a significant environmental policy shift: ending fossil fuel extraction and burning by 2030. The group’s broader demand includes a call for the incoming UK government to collaborate with other nations on a legally binding Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. This treaty would facilitate the transition to clean energy and help mitigate the climate crisis, a theme that has gained traction among environmentalists and scientists alike. Recently, over 400 climate scientists in the UK urged political leaders to adopt more ambitious climate policies ahead of the general election on July 4.
The incident is part of a larger sequence of actions by Just Stop Oil, which has previously attacked major cultural sites such as the Magna Carta at the British Library and Vincent van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” at the National Gallery. Each of these events spurred debate regarding the relationship between environmental advocacy and cultural preservation.
Stonehenge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to around 2500 BCE, is extremely culturally and historically significant. The location is especially notable for its alignment with the summer solstice, which emphasizes its historic function in tracking the sun’s travels and potential spiritual significance. Archaeologist Michael Pitts voiced alarm about the potential harm to the fragile megaliths. “The megaliths are sensitive and completely covered in prehistoric markings which remain to be fully studied, and any surface damage to the stones is hugely concerning,” he said.
The protest at Stonehenge highlights the ongoing tensions between the urgent need for environmental activism and the imperative to preserve cultural heritage. As the world grapples with the climate crisis, actions like those of Just Stop Oil ignite crucial debates on how to balance immediate environmental actions with the preservation of historical sites. The incident at Stonehenge serves as a stark reminder of the complex challenges facing governments and societies as they strive to address climate change while respecting and protecting our shared cultural legacy.
