Just Stop Oil Activists Spray Stonehenge With Orange Powder in Climate Protest and Win Acquittal

Three Just Stop Oil activists — Rajan Naidu, Niamh Lynch, and Luke Watson — were acquitted after spraying Stonehenge with orange powder during a June 19, 2024 climate protest.

“Both Niamh Lynch and Rajan Naidu sat in front of the stones in protest Three Just Stop Oil activists who sprayed Stonehenge with orange powder have been cleared of causing a public nuisance”

BBC

A Salisbury Crown Court jury found them not guilty following a 10-day trial.

BBC

Multiple outlets note the defense hinged on human rights protections for freedom of speech and protest.

Coverage says the jury accepted that rationale and cleared the trio.

The action occurred just before the 2024 Summer Solstice, when thousands were due to gather at the UNESCO World Heritage site.

Several reports emphasize that the orange powder was quickly cleaned and caused no permanent damage.

Accounts converge that Naidu and Lynch entered the protected area and used color blasters filled with cornflour, talc, and orange dye.

Watson provided equipment and transport for the demonstration.

Daily Mail

Several outlets report the material was removed quickly at a cost of £620, and no lasting damage was found.

The demonstration was staged on June 19, 2024, the day before the solstice, when large crowds were expected.

Prosecutors repeatedly characterized the action as vandalism, while coverage notes the defense framed it as peaceful protest.

Legal coverage emphasizes a rights-based defense under the European Convention on Human Rights.

“The activists cited human rights as part of their defense after throwing orange powder on the stones at the prehistoric site in Wiltshire, England”

DW

Some outlets add details about the trial process.

Reports note the judge instructed jurors to consider whether a conviction would be a proportionate interference with protest rights.

Deliberations lasted about six hours following a 10-day trial.

Some accounts mention the defendants’ claim of a 'reasonable excuse' alongside rights to speech and assembly under Articles 10 and 11.

Post-verdict reactions vary among different sources.

Several outlets report Naidu urging stronger action on climate change and supporting a global Fossil Fuel Non-proliferation Treaty.

Evrim Ağacı

Lynch expressed a desire for fairness and to protect what she loves.

GB News includes Watson’s description of the action as a harmless 'magic trick' intended to draw attention without causing damage.

DW places the case within a broader movement context, noting that Just Stop Oil ended its protests earlier in 2024 after claiming success in stopping new UK oil and gas approvals.

Some reports also mention the defense solicitor’s warning about the erosion of protest rights.

Media framing differs in emphasis and tone.

“GB NEWS The court heard the costs of removing the powder from the stones totalled £620 Just Stop Oil activists who sprayed Stonehenge with orange powder have been found not guilty of criminal damage”

GB News

The Independent and GB News foreground prosecutors’ language of 'planned' or 'deliberate' vandalism.

GB News

Daily Mail underscores staging for 'maximum impact' before a large gathering and details ages and affiliations.

upday News consistently balances allegations of vandalism with rights protections.

hellorayo.co.uk stresses the democratic importance of safeguarding protest rights.

Across outlets, the quick cleanup and lack of lasting damage recur.

The balance between heritage protection and protest rights is framed with varying weight.