Climate Activists Target Magna Carta in London Protest

Two elderly climate activists damaged the glass case holding the original Magna Carta at the British Library in London on Friday. The attack, carried out by Rev. Sue Parfitt and Judy Bruce of the Just Stop Oil group, was an attempt to raise awareness of the urgency of climate change.

Two elderly climate activists attacked a glass case holding the original Magna Carta at the British Library in London on Friday, causing minor damage to the display. The incident highlights the growing frustration among environmentalists over the lack of progress in addressing the climate crisis.

Reverend Dr. Sue Parfitt, 82, and Judy Bruce, 85, were both arrested after they used a hammer and chisel to hit the case containing the historical document. The Magna Carta, a 13th-century treaty establishing the principle that nobody is above the law, is considered one of the founding documents of Western democracy.

In a statement after their arrest, Parfitt and Bruce said they were compelled to take action because the government was "breaking its own laws against climate change." They called on people to "just stop oil" and end the world's reliance on fossil fuels.

The attack caused minor damage to the reinforced glass case but did not harm the Magna Carta. The British Library said the Treasures Gallery, where the Magna Carta is displayed, would be closed until further notice.

Just Stop Oil is a British environmental group that has been engaging in a series of protests and civil disobedience actions to demand an end to fossil fuel production. The group's actions have included blocking oil terminals, targeting fuel depots, and disrupting major roads.

Parfitt and Bruce's attack on the Magna Carta is the latest in a series of high-profile protests by climate activists. In recent months, activists have thrown soup at Vincent van Gogh's "Sunflowers" at the National Gallery in London, glued themselves to the frame of Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" at the Louvre in Paris, and disrupted sporting events in Australia and the United Kingdom.

The protests reflect the growing frustration among climate activists over the lack of progress in addressing the climate crisis. Despite international agreements like the Paris Agreement, global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, and the world is on track to experience catastrophic climate change unless urgent action is taken.

Climate activists argue that governments and corporations are not doing enough to reduce emissions and protect the planet. They see civil disobedience and disruptive actions as a necessary way to force policymakers to take action.

The attack on the Magna Carta has been met with mixed reactions. Some people have expressed support for the activists' goals, while others have condemned the attack on a historical artifact.

The British Library said it was "deeply regrettable" that the activists had damaged the display case. However, the library also said it understood the concerns of climate activists.

"We respect the right to protest, but we do not condone any action that damages our collections or puts our staff at risk," the library said in a statement.

The incident highlights the growing tensions between climate activists and cultural institutions. As the climate crisis intensifies, it is likely that we will see more protests and disruptions at museums, galleries, and other cultural venues.