Just Stop Oil protesters have sprayed part of Stonehenge with orange powder paint. 

Two climate activists took part in the action at the historic site near Salisbury, Wiltshire around midday (June 19), just one day before Summer Solstice celebrations are set to take place at the 5,000-year-old landmark.

Videos shared on social media show members of the public attempting to intervene as the activists approached Stonehenge.

Just Stop Oil identified the protesters as Niamh Lynch, a 21-year-old student at the University of Oxford, and Rajan Naidu, a 73-year-old man from Birmingham. The group also confirmed that the ‘paint’ used in the action was made of cornflower, which would “wash away with rain”.

The climate action group explained that they took the action to call on the UK government to cease all oil, gas, and coal extraction and burning by 2030. A spokesperson from the group warned that continuing to burn fossil fuels would lead to the deaths of millions and called for collective action to protect humanity.

Wiltshire Police say two individuals have been arrested on suspicion of damaging the ancient monument.  An English Heritage spokeswoman said that the incident was “extremely upsetting” and confirmed that curators are investigating the damage while the site remains open to visitors.

On X, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak denounced Just Stop Oil as a “disgrace” while Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey took some time out from playing frisbee and toasting marshmallows to share his view that “the damage to Stonehenge is a total disgrace and the full force of the law should be brought down on the perpetrators”. Keir Starmer, meanwhile, wrote, “the damage done to Stonehenge is outrageous. Just Stop Oil are pathetic. Those responsible must face the full force of the law” – which is probably the strongest stance he’s ever shown on anything. Losers x