Three Just Stop Oil protesters have been acquitted 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 cleared of causing a public nuisance and damaging an ancient protected monument at Salisbury Crown Court.
The court heard the trio used 'colour blasters' to spray the prehistoric stones in Wiltshire. The powder was removed at a cost of £620, with no lasting damage. The protesters argued their action was justified because it drew global attention to the climate emergency.
Judge Dugdale told the jury that to convict, they must be satisfied a conviction would be a proportionate interference with the defendants' rights to freedom of expression and protest. He emphasised that individuals are entitled to protest against government inaction on certain matters.
The prosecution contended the protest did not need to occur at Stonehenge, which had no connection to the climate crisis. However, the jury acquitted the trio after considering the human rights implications.
Speaking outside court, Naidu criticised the public nuisance legislation as 'highly repressive', comparing it to the treatment of suffragettes. Defence lawyer Francesca Cociani hailed the verdict as upholding the right to peaceful protest, which she said is being eroded.
The judge noted the case's importance regarding freedom of expression versus the protection of a world heritage site. He also commended a site worker, Man Chu Zah, for attempting to intervene, recommending him for a high sheriff's award.
