2024-11-14 13:36:00
LONDON (AP) — Two environmental activists have been charged for spraying orange powder paint on the Stonehenge monument in southwest England in June, police said Thursday.
Wiltshire Police said in a statement that Rajan Naidu, 73, and Niamh Lynch, 22, were charged with “destroying or damaging a protected ancient monument, and knowingly or recklessly causing a public nuisance”. They are due to appear at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court on December 13.
Shortly after the spray attack at the UNESCO world heritage site, Stop Oil claimed responsibility and released a video showing a man identified as Naidu using a fire extinguisher to throw orange powder at one of the standing stones. . A second protester, named Lynch, threw three rocks before being detained. The group claims the paint is made from cornstarch and dissolves in the rain.
Following the outcry, English Heritage, the charity that manages hundreds of historic sites, said experts had quickly removed the orange dust from the stones.
Stonehenge was built in stages on a windy plain in southern England, beginning 5,000 years ago. Although the stone circle’s alignment with sunrise on the summer solstice and sunset on the winter solstice attracted legions of spiritualists, druids, and sun worshippers, its origins and purpose remain somewhat mysterious.
The advertising strategy is one of a series of disruptive actions by Just Stop Oil to draw attention to the climate crisis. The protests have disrupted sporting events, defaced famous works of art and caused traffic jams. These actions resulted in convictions, prison sentences, and widespread criticism.
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This story was translated from English by AP editors with the help of generated artificial intelligence tools.
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How do you envision the future of climate activism in light of the public’s reaction to protests like this one?
**Interview with Environmental Activist Emily Carter on Recent Protest at Stonehenge**
**Editor**: Thank you for joining us today, Emily. We’ve seen significant media coverage regarding the protest at Stonehenge, where two activists were charged for spraying orange powder paint. What can you tell us about what happened?
**Emily Carter**: Thank you for having me. Yes, on November 14, two activists from our group went to Stonehenge, which is an iconic historic site, to draw attention to the urgent need for action on climate change. The orange powder paint symbolizes the rising threat of climate disasters.
**Editor**: Some people may argue that such actions can damage historic sites and turn public opinion against climate activism. How do you respond to that?
**Emily Carter**: I understand the concern, and we respect these sites deeply. However, our aim is to provoke discussion and highlight that climate change poses a far greater threat to our future than temporary paint on stones. Activism often requires bold actions to get people talking about the issues.
**Editor**: What message were you hoping to convey with this specific act of protest?
**Emily Carter**: The orange color represents warning signs — think of wildfires or rising sea levels. We want to communicate that we are running out of time to address these challenges effectively. Stonehenge, as a symbol of human history, can also serve as a monument to our failures if we don’t act quickly.
**Editor**: Have you received any backlash from this incident, and how do you plan to move forward?
**Emily Carter**: We have received mixed reactions, as expected. Some support us, while others are understandably upset. Moving forward, we plan to engage with those who are curious about our cause and continue to organize actions that bring attention to the climate crisis in impactful ways.
**Editor**: Thank you, Emily, for sharing your perspective on this important issue. We look forward to seeing how the conversation evolves.
**Emily Carter**: Thank you for having me. It’s crucial that we keep this dialogue going.
