Throughout October, the environmental activist group Just Stop Oil (JSO) engaged in protests against further licensing, development and production of fossil fuels in the United Kingdom. Since Oct. 1, there have been over 650 arrests.
On Oct. 14, two activists threw tomato soup at Vincent van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” at the National Gallery of Art in London and glued themselves to the wall beneath 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?” asked one of the protesters. “The cost of living crisis is part of the cost of [the] oil crisis. Fuel is unaffordable to millions of cold, hungry families. They can’t even afford to heat a tin of soup.”
The painting was not damaged due to a layer of glass protecting it. However, there was some minor harm to the frame.
Similarly, on Oct. 27, two activists targeted Johannes Vermeer’s “Girl with the Pearl Earring.” One activist tried to glue his own head to the oil painting while the other shared JSO’s purpose with museum visitors.
“The condition of the painting has been investigated by our conservators. Fortunately, the glazed masterpiece was not damaged,” the Mauritshuis art museum in the Hague, Netherlands reported.
JSO has also blocked roads and traffic in London by having activists sit in the streets. In response, some drivers exited their cars to remove the protestors themselves.
“You are stopping the wrong people. I’ve got to go pick my kids up. I’ve got to get my lorry back to work,” British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported a motorist saying. “We can’t help you. Go to Westminster.”
The Metropolitan Police advised the public to not intervene with protestors—many of whom have been gluing themselves to the street. They should instead call the police to ensure safety and swift action. In addition, if onlookers interfere with these matters, it could delay or obstruct the prosecutions of the climate activists.
“[The Metropolitan Police is] determined to bring to justice all of those who have caused significant and unreasonable disruption to London or caused damage to buildings, property or valuables,” Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said.
He also emphasized that the police will “always provide proportionate policing response” to protestors and can work with activists so they can demonstrate safely. However, JSO has not notified the police when or where their protests will take place. As a result, since the beginning of October, more than 7,000 officer shifts have been needed to respond to JSO activity.
“The Met is a large and resilient organization, and despite the abstraction of officers to support this operation, we are still able to deal with our core business in communities,” Twist stated. “However, this continuing action increases pressure on our systems and our officers.”
Police action, arrests and public backlash have not stopped JSO from reorganizing, highlighting that these demonstrations will likely continue.
