Watch the moment heroic bystanders halt Just Stop Oil activists in their tracks as they attempt to cover Stonehenge in orange paint.
The eco group boasted their stunt on X where they called for “megalithic action” on the climate crisis.
As they vandalised the prehistoric structure, two bystanders can be seen stepping in and desperately trying to pull the perpetrators away from their target.
Several of the iconic stones – dating back to the late Neolithic period – were seen covered in orange paint before one protester sat on the grass and the other was detained by a member of the public.
Bystanders halt Just Stop Oil protesters in their tracks
X / JUST STOP OIL
The incident happened on Wednesday at about 12pm, the day before the summer solstice is celebrated at Stonehenge, which is the heart of a World Heritage site.
Among the people to have condemned the act is Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Just Stop Oil activists targeted Stonehenge
X
He said: “This is a disgraceful act of vandalism to one of the UK’s and the world’s oldest and most important monuments.
“Just Stop Oil should be ashamed of their activists, and they and anyone associated with them, including a certain Labour Party donor, should issue a condemnation of this shameful act immediately.”
Wiltshire Police said officers had attended the scene and arrested two people.
A spokesman added: “At around noon, we responded to a report that orange paint had been sprayed on some of the stones by two suspects.
Just Stop Oil activists have caused widespread disruption across the UKJust Stop Oil“Officers attended the scene and arrested two people on suspicion of damaging the ancient monument.
“Our inquiries are ongoing, and we are working closely with English Heritage.”
English Heritage said experts were assessing the “extent of the damage” on the stones.
A spokeswoman said: “Orange powdered paint has been thrown at a number of the stones at Stonehenge.
“Obviously, this is extremely upsetting and our curators are investigating the extent of the damage. Stonehenge remains open to the public.”
In a statement, Just Stop Oil said its action was to demand that the incoming UK Government should agree a plan with other governments to end the extraction and burning of oil, gas and coal by 2030.
A spokesperson for the group said: “The UK’s government in waiting has committed to enacting Just Stop Oil’s original demand of ‘no new oil and gas’. However, we all know this is not enough.
“Continuing to burn coal, oil and gas will result in the death of millions. We have to come together to defend humanity or we risk everything.
“That’s why Just Stop Oil is demanding that our next government sign up to a legally binding treaty to phase out fossil fuels by 2030.”
The group said it used orange cornflour paint to spray onto the stones, which it claimed would “soon wash away with the rain”.