Three Just Stop Oil activists have been cleared of causing a public nuisance after spraying orange powder on Stonehenge the day before last year's summer solstice. Rajan Naidu, 74, Niamh Lynch, 23, and Luke Watson, 36, were acquitted at Salisbury Crown Court after a jury found their protest was a proportionate exercise of their right to freedom of expression.
The court heard that the trio used 'colour blasters' to spray the prehistoric monument in Wiltshire. The powder cost £620 to remove and caused no lasting damage. The activists argued that their peaceful action was justified because it drew global attention to the climate emergency.
Judge Dugdale told the jury that to convict, they would need to be sure that a conviction would be a proportionate interference with the defendants' human rights to protest. He said: 'If individuals disagree with what our government is doing on certain matters they are entitled to protest.'
The prosecution argued that Stonehenge had no connection to the climate crisis and that the protest could have taken place elsewhere. However, the jury acquitted the trio on all charges, including damaging an ancient protected monument.
Speaking outside court, Naidu criticised the public nuisance legislation as 'highly repressive' and 'retrogressive'. Francesca Cociani, the defence lawyer, said the charge was 'wholly inadequate' and an 'affront to their right to protest'. She added: 'It is a relief that the jury has decided to uphold the right to peaceful protest.'
The judge praised the jury for their decision on a case that balanced freedom of expression against the protection of a world heritage site. He also recommended a site worker, Man Chu Zah, for a high sheriff's award after the jury highlighted his 'brave and selfless' attempt to intervene.
