Two activists from the group Just Stop Oil were arrested after using hammers to smash the glass protecting the Rokeby Venus painting at the National Gallery in London.
The painting, previously attacked in 1914, was targeted again by the activists who claimed that “deeds not words” were necessary for change.
The activists cited the suffragette movement as an example of successful civil resistance.
💥 SUFFRAGETTE PAINTING SMASHED
💀 Our government have revealed plans for MORE oil licences, knowing it will kill millions. In response, two supporters of Just Stop Oil smashed the Rokeby Venus — slashed by Mary Richardson in 1914.
⏱ Deeds, not words: https://t.co/3tlBID7nKA pic.twitter.com/Hk0el26QIt
— Just Stop Oil (@JustStop_Oil) November 6, 2023
One of the activists stated, “Over 100 years ago, the suffragette Mary Richardson attacked the Rokeby Venus portrait for the unjust imprisonment of Emmeline Pankhurst.”
“Today I have used similar methods in the fight for climate justice.”
“As a kid, I saw myself growing up to be an astronaut or a singer. I saw a future, however ridiculous it was. Now, those day-dreams have ended. The future we are heading for doesn’t allow space for them anymore.”
“It’s always been down to ordinary people to tell their governments when they’ve crossed a line. Civil resistance worked for the suffragettes and it will work for us.”
Just Stop Oil Climate Extremist Glues Own Head to ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’ Paintinghttps://t.co/NlAoApfAj3
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) October 27, 2022
“The suffragettes are proof these methods work to achieve social change,” another Nottingham student said.
“That is why we have taken this action today. New oil will destroy everything we love.”
“I do not want to be here, but I cannot continue to see this government fail all of us.”
In a separate incident, 40 activists were arrested for disrupting traffic outside of Whitehall.
The group has previously targeted artworks in Europe.
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