Just Stop Oil, an environmental activist organization, recently drew attention after two of its members were arrested for illegally entering London Stansted Airport. Jennifer Kowalski (28) and Cole Macdonald (22) are accused of damaging property and disrupting infrastructure. The pair made a bold statement by spray-painting two jets with orange paint in a public protest against the continued use of fossil fuels.
The group released a video that depicts the slicing of a security fence and subsequent spray-painting of two private jets. The airport, situated just 30 miles northeast of central London, is known for its high-profile clientele, including government officials and global leaders.
Activists break into London’s Stansted Airport and target multiple private jets in their second anti-fossil fuels protest in fewer than 24 hours. pic.twitter.com/eaJBaRyb5F
— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) June 20, 2024
Just Stop Oil suggests that famous pop singer Taylor Swift’s private jet was at the airport at the time of the incident. This detail, however, has not been confirmed as Stansted Airport did not verify the information. Swift is currently in London for her “The Eras Tour,” with three concerts lined up at Wembley Stadium.
The group asserts that their protest is designed to highlight the need to cease the extraction and burning of oil, gas, and coal by 2030. Macdonald, who appears in the video, condemns the wealthy for their lavish lifestyles at the expense of common people. The video ends with Macdonald and Kowalski standing in front of one of the vandalized jets, asserting that “Billionaires are not untouchable.”
Just Stop Oil protesters broke into a VIP airfield at Stansted Airport, spray-painted aircraft with orange paint, and posted a video saying, “We just spray painted the sh*t out of this jet.”
Police arrested them on suspicion of criminal damage and interference with the use of… pic.twitter.com/3bLmg2i4tF
— Catch Up (@CatchUpFeed) June 20, 2024
The activists link climate change with wealth inequality. Macdonald’s statement suggests that wealth accumulation by the rich adversely affects everyone else, leading to unsustainable living conditions. This sentiment is encapsulated in the phrase “cruel summer,” which is also the title of a 2019 song by Taylor Swift.
This event follows a previous protest by Just Stop Oil at the ancient Stonehenge monument in southern England, which formed part of their broader call for the end of fossil fuels. The monument, known for aligning with the sunrise on the summer solstice and sunset on the winter solstice, was chosen for its symbolic significance.
So called “climate activists” vandalizing Stone Henge. How does that accomplish anything? Arent these historic sites guarded/protected??? pic.twitter.com/PAT7prhxr8
— Sue (@SueJ2024) June 19, 2024
These actions are part of a larger pattern of protests carried out by various climate activism groups. Their aim is to draw public attention through acts of temporary or superficial vandalism. Just Stop Oil is among several Europe-based groups recognized for their disruptive tactics, which include interrupting sports events and traffic, along with defacing famous artworks, all to protest what they claim is man-made global warming.
