Just Stop Oil activists have targeted "multiple private jets" at London's Stansted Airport just hours after Taylor Swift's plane landed there in their second anti-fossil fuels protest in fewer than 24 hours.
At around 5am this morning, a pair of protesters from the group daubed two private aircraft with bright orange spray paint after appearing to cut their way through a chain-link fence with a circular saw to gain access to the tarmac.
In a statement from the group - which contains a number of Taylor Swift-related puns - the demonstrating duo, 22-year-old Cole Macdonald and 28-year-old Jennifer Kowalski, took aim at billionaires and private jets for "destroying the conditions necessary to support human life" on Earth.
WATCH NOW: BRITAIN'S FAR LEFT EXPOSED - GBN DOCUMENTARY EXPLORES THREAT
GB News understands the country star's plane was not at Stansted at the time of the vandalism, but the pair were quick to post footage and images from the incident online, which can be seen below.
🚨 JUST STOP OIL PAINT PRIVATE JETS HOURS AFTER TAYLOR SWIFT'S LANDS
— Just Stop Oil (@JustStop_Oil) June 20, 2024
🔥 Jennifer and Cole cut the fence into the private airfield at Stansted where @taylorswift13's jet is parked, demanding an emergency treaty to end fossil fuels by 2030.
💸 Donate — https://t.co/UwALfVtRmR pic.twitter.com/aORdvUuQmU
The protesters targeted private jets at Stansted Airport
Just Stop Oil
Macdonald said: "We're living in two worlds: one where billionaires live in luxury, able to fly in private jets away from the other, where unlivable conditions are being imposed on countless millions.
"Meanwhile, this system that is allowing extreme wealth to be accrued by a few, to the detriment of everyone else, is destroying the conditions necessary to support human life in a rapidly accelerating never-ending 'cruel summer'.
"Billionaires are not untouchable - climate breakdown will affect every single one of us."
While Kowalski - a Taylor Swift fan and former environmental scientist - said: "Over the years, I've had to realise that even working in sustainability provides me with essentially no ability to make the necessary changes to prevent the complete collapse of our natural systems. I have to take desperate measures to make my voice heard.”
MORE ON JUST STOP OIL:
The demonstrators appeared to break through a fence to gain entry to the tarmac
Just Stop Oil
"In 2024 we all have to be considering what we can do each day to change the course our society is on. We need an emergency treaty to stop the extraction and burning of oil, gas and coal by 2030."
A Stansted Airport spokesman told GB News: "Shortly after 5am, Essex Police arrested two protestors who had entered the private aviation area of the airfield, away from the runway and main passenger terminal.
"As a precaution, runway operations were suspended for a short period, but no flights were disrupted, and the airport and flights are operating as normal."
The vandalism came just a day before Swift is set to take the stage at Wembley Stadium for the multiple-Grammy-winning star's first set of tour dates in London this summer.
Activists spray-painted the jets bright orange
Just Stop Oil
"T-Swizzle", as she's affectionately known by fans, has taken flak from the public for her considerable private jet travel, both in the US and around the world.
The protesters' stated aims mirror those of the pair of activists who targeted Stonehenge yesterday morning: the ancient stone circle was daubed with orange powder paint in what the group called "megalithic action" to push the government to "commit to working with other governments to agree an equitable plan to end the extraction and burning of oil, gas and coal by 2030".
One of the protesters who targeted the Unesco World Heritage site said: "The orange cornflour we used to create an eye-catching spectacle will soon wash away with the rain, but the urgent need for effective government action to mitigate the catastrophic consequences of the climate and ecological crisis will not. Sign the treaty!"
An Essex Police spokesman told GB News: "Officers have responded quickly and made two arrests following reports of people gaining access to a private area of an airfield at Stansted Airport.
"We were called shortly before 5.10am today (Thursday, June 20).
"It was reported two people had gained access to an area well away from the runway and main passenger terminal, before causing damage to two aircraft.
"Officers were on the scene within minutes and detained two people. The airport and flights are operating as normal.
"A 22-year-old woman from Brighton, and a 28-year-old woman from Dumbarton, have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and interference with the use or operation of national infrastructure."
Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said: "I would like to reassure passengers and the wider public that we are well prepared and resourced to deal with incidents of this nature.
"Almost immediately after we were made aware of this incident, which took place away from the main passenger terminal, we were on the scene.
"We maintain a constant presence at the airport and this presence will be heightened over the summer period.
"We have a good working relationship with Manchester Airport Group and Stansted Airport to ensure you can go about your travels with minimal impact.
"We are not anti protest but we will always take action where criminal acts take place."
