Two UK climate activists have been arrested after throwing tinned soup at one of Vincent Van Gogh’s most famous paintings in the National Gallery in London.
The activists, who are supporters of the Just Stop Oil organisation, threw two tins of Heinz Tomato soup over the 1888 work Sunflowers shortly after 11 a.m. on Friday, before kneeling down in front of the painting and appearing to glue their hands to the wall beneath it.
One of the activists, 21-year-old Phoebe Plummer from London, said in front of the painting: “What is worth more, art or life? Is it worth more than food? Worth more than justice? Are you more concerned about the protection of a painting, or the protection of our planet and people? The cost of living crisis is part of the cost of oil crisis.”
The protesters were later arrested and taken away in a police van.
The painting was covered by glass. “There is some minor damage to the frame but the painting is unharmed,” the National Gallery later said in a statement.
The Metropolitan Police said: “Officers were rapidly on scene at the National Gallery this morning after two Just Stop Oil protesters threw a substance over a painting and then glued themselves to a wall. Both have been arrested for criminal damage and aggravated trespass.
Disruptions
Just Stop Oil, a spin-off from Extinction Rebellion, has been urging the government to begin the process of winding down fossil fuel production in the country.The group began blockading fuel terminals across the country on April 1, leading to more than 1,000 arrests.
The group was also filmed blockading petrol stations and damaging petrol pumps. On Aug. 26, Just Stop Oil stated on Twitter that they “decommissioned pumps at 7 stations in central London.”
Over the past fortnight, the group has caused disruptions in central London by blocking key roads, including The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman told the Conservative Party conference on Oct. 4 that she’ll be tough on guerrilla protests by climate protesters and other rioters.
“You can’t just start a riot or glue yourself to the roads and get away with it,” Braverman said. “So whether you’re Just Stop Oil or Insulate Britain or Extinction Rebellion, you cross the line when you break the law, and that’s why we’ll keep putting you behind bars.”
