As a UNESCO world heritage site, Stonehenge exists under a series of different protection orders. This subsequently makes damaging or vandalizing the stones a criminal offense.
Stonehenge is protected by the ancient monuments act and it is a criminal offence to damage the Stones. There are also multiple rare lichen species growing on the stones that are also protected. Expect a prison sentence. 😡 https://t.co/4sFprTUwUi
— Stonehenge U.K (@ST0NEHENGE) June 19, 2024
On social media, the official Stonehenge UK page expressed outrage over the acts of Just Stop Oil protesters. When the climate activist group claimed the orange cornflower would eventually wash off the stones, Stonehenge UK noted that the Ancient Monuments Act of 1882 outlaws the attacks perpetrated by the protesters.
Other individuals, such as UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, slammed Just Stop Oil as disgraceful and reprehensible. Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling also joined in, warning that the climate activist group’s behavior isn’t winning over public sentiment.
Legal consequences have already begun
After the vandalism, Wiltshire Police arrested 73-year-old Rajan Naidu of Birmingham and Niamh Lynch, a 21-year-old student at the University of Oxford. At this time, there’s been no public confirmation of the charges that Naidu and Lynch will face as a result of their actions.
