British police arrested two activists from the environmental group JustStop Oil for spraying orange paint on the monoliths of Stonehenge. This act of vandalism against the UNESCO-protected site in southern England was condemned by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who called it a 'shameful act of vandalism against one of the oldest and most important monuments in the United Kingdom and the world.' The activists, Niamh Lynch, 21, and Rajan Naidu, 73, were detained after visitors, including a woman, attempted to stop them.
In a related case, environmental activists from Extinction Rebellion faced trial in Lyon, France, for entering a chemical site owned by Arkema to protest against 'eternal pollutants.' The prosecutor requested a suspended prison sentence of three to six months for the activists, who were found with bolt cutters and climbing equipment. The activists, aged 23 to 43, defended their actions as non-violent and aimed at raising awareness about pollution. During the trial, witnesses and a toxicologist presented evidence on the harmful effects of PFAS, leading the regional authorities to order Arkema to cease using these chemicals by the end of 2024.
- The JustStop Oil activists' action at Stonehenge has sparked a broader conversation about the methods used by environmental groups to draw attention to climate issues. While some argue that such acts of vandalism are necessary to highlight urgent environmental concerns, others believe they undermine the cause by alienating public support.
- The Extinction Rebellion trial in Lyon has similarly raised questions about the balance between civil disobedience and public safety. The activists' defense centered on the 'state of necessity' and freedom of expression, arguing that their actions were justified given the severity of the pollution issue. However, the prosecution and Arkema's civil party lawyer emphasized the premeditated nature of the act and the potential dangers of entering a Seveso site.
