Radical climate advocates are trying time and again to draw attention to global warming with sensational campaigns. Until now, the activists have often focused on busy roads, but now they have chosen a new target: members of the “Just Stop Oil” group stuck themselves on the painting “The Last Supper” in the Royal Academy – a 500-year-old copy of the famous painting by Leonardo Da Vinci.
As part of a campaign targeting museums and galleries in the UK, five activists sprayed the words “no new oil” under the painting on Tuesday and then taped their hands to the frame.
Similar protests against famous works of art have already taken place in several British cities in recent days. For example, ‘Just Stop Oil’ activists covered the painting ‘The Hay Wagon’ by John Constable in the National Gallery in London on Monday with a color print. Instead of the idyllic river landscape in the painting, you saw dead trees, factory chimneys and airplanes. There too, the activists held on to the photo frame.
They wanted to draw attention to the effects of burning fossil fuels on nature. “I’m here because our government plans to approve 40 new UK oil and gas projects over the next few years,” an activist told AFP. According to them, the London police have not arrested the two activists. So far, no damage to the paintings has been reported.
Other actions took place in Glasgow and Manchester, where activists used valuable works by, for example, Vincent van Gogh and William Turner. In a statement, the Just Stop Oil group said they focus on art because it’s “part of our collective culture,” adding: “We love our history and culture too much to make anything happen.” continue to peacefully disrupt what is needed until the government agrees to halt all new fossil fuel projects,” the group said.
Police expect ‘daily actions’
The British Police Coordination Center has warned museums and galleries to tighten security during the protests. It is likely that “Just Stop Oil” will carry out further acts of civil disobedience in cultural institutions, it said in a security briefing. The police assume that the actions “continue every day”.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
