A 73-year-old Indian-origin activist was one of two Just Stop Oil activists arrested by Wiltshire Police on Wednesday after they sprayed orange paint on the Stonehenge historical landmark in south-west England. Rajan Naidu, hailing from Birmingham, alongside 21-year-old student Niamh Lynch from Oxford, targeted the iconic site to protest against the use of fossil fuels.
Rajan Naidu explained that the orange cornflour used in their demonstration was intended to create a visually striking display that would easily wash away with the rain. “Either we end the fossil fuel era, or the fossil fuel era will end us,” Naidu declared in a statement released by Just Stop Oil, underscoring the urgency of their cause.
Naidu further elaborated on the rationale behind their actions, drawing a parallel to historical efforts to address global threats. “Just as 50 years ago, when the world used international treaties to defuse the threats posed by nuclear weapons, today the world needs a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. This treaty would aim to phase out fossil fuels and support dependent economies, workers, and communities in transitioning away from oil, gas, and coal,” he stated.
“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. Sign the treaty,” he added, emphasizing the temporary nature of the paint in contrast to the enduring climate crisis.
The environmental group Just Stop Oil, which organized the protest, stated that the activists had “decorated” Stonehenge in orange powder paint to press the incoming UK government to collaborate with other nations on an equitable plan to end the extraction and burning of fossil fuels by 2030. The group’s goal is to push for a swift transition away from fossil fuels to prevent further environmental degradation.
The protest sparked swift reactions from political leaders. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned the incident, calling it a “disgraceful act of vandalism.” Opposition Labour Leader Keir Starmer echoed this sentiment, describing the damage as “outrageous.”
Wiltshire Police provided details on the incident, stating, “At around noon, we responded to a report that orange paint had been sprayed on some of the stones by two suspects. Officers attended the scene and arrested two people on suspicion of damaging the ancient monument.” The police confirmed that their inquiries are ongoing and that they are working closely with English Heritage, the organization responsible for the care of Stonehenge.
The protest at Stonehenge highlights the ongoing tensions between climate activists and governmental authorities over the urgency and methods of addressing climate change. As climate concerns grow, actions like these reflect the increasing desperation among activists to spur immediate and effective governmental action.
In the wake of the arrests, Just Stop Oil reiterated their call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, urging the public and officials alike to recognize the severity of the climate crisis and take bold steps to address it. The controversy surrounding the Stonehenge protest serves as a stark reminder of the high stakes involved in the global battle against climate change.
