(Scypre.com) – Climate activists damaged a renowned painting in London on Monday, urging the U.K. to halt new oil and gas initiatives within the country.
During the incident, Just Stop Oil members Harrison Donnelly, 20, and Hanan, 22, employed “safety hammers” to target Diego Velázquez’s 17th-century artwork, “Rokeby Venus,” displayed in the National Gallery. The protesters shattered the glass protecting the painting while vocally asserting that millions would perish due to forthcoming oil and gas leases. Hanan, not identified by her full name, emphasized the need for action, stating, “Women did not get the vote by voting; it is time for deeds not words. It is time to Just Stop Oil.”
Donnelly, identified by his full name, criticized political failure and drew parallels with historical events, declaring, “Millions will die due to new oil and gas licenses. If we love history, if we love art, and if we love our families, we must just stop oil.” Following the act, the protesters sat before the vandalized artwork, which is valued at approximately £72.5 million. “Rokeby Venus” had been previously damaged over a century ago during the suffragette movement advocating for women’s voting rights.
The National Gallery reported the incident, stating that the pair had been arrested and charged with suspicion of criminal damage. The painting was promptly removed for examination by conservators. Just Stop Oil justified their actions, referring to a quote by Emmeline Pankhurst and lamenting the persistence of destructive politics.
This act followed a recent disruption by Just Stop Oil during a “Les Miserables” performance in London, where they were met with backlash from the audience. Metropolitan Police arrested five individuals for aggravated trespass after the activists interrupted the West End show with banners and chants, prompting the production to shut down.