In London, environmental activists attacked the Magna Carta

Two environmental activists from the Just Stop Oil movement tried on Friday to damage the Magna Carta, the medieval document that underlies British nationhood. They attacked the glass display case in which the charter was displayed with a hammer and chisel. It was not possible to break the armored glass. Then the activists unfurled a poster with the inscription “The government is breaking the law” and glued their hands together with superglue. They were detained by the police.

BBC reportsthat the detainees were Protestant priest Sue Parfitt and former biology teacher Judy Bruce. Both are over 80 years old. British Library Press Office wrote on social network X that the armored glass of the display case received minor damage; the ancient document itself was not damaged. “Gallery of Jewels”, where the charter is kept, after the incident closed for visitors.

Sue Parfitt stated: “We all highly revere the Magna Carta, it is important to our history, our freedoms and laws. But there will be no legality, no freedom, no rights if we allow the climate catastrophe that threatens us now to happen. As a Christian, I consider it my duty prevent this suffering in any way.”

Police suspect Parfitt and Bruce of damaging property.

• The Just Stop Oil movement is demanding that the UK government stop issuing new licenses and permits for fossil fuel exploration, development and production in the country. Activists in the movement use various forms of nonviolent resistance, including sit-ins on roads and performances in art galleries.
• The Magna Carta (Magna Carta) is a political and legal document of 1215 that formed the basis of the legislation of medieval England. In particular, it affirms the supremacy of law, to which the king of England and the aristocracy must obey, protects the legal rights of the population, and regulates issues of legal proceedings, tax collection, inheritance and other rights. The Charter had a great influence on the formation of legal institutions in Europe, and subsequently on the development of the concept of human rights.