Climate activists arrested for spray-painting private jets orange at London airport
Two climate activists have been arrested after cutting through a fence at a London area airport and spray-painting private jets orange
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Two climate activists were arrested Thursday after cutting through a fence at a London airport and spray-painting private jets orange.
Essex police said two women were arrested in a private area of London Stansted Airport on suspicion of criminal damage and interference with the use or operation of national infrastructure.
Environmental group Just Stop Oil posted video of someone cutting through a security fence followed by a clip of a woman using a fire extinguisher to spray orange paint on at least two private jets.
An airport spokesperson said the incident was three miles (5 kilometers) from the main terminal and police said there was no threat the public.
The airfield, 30 miles (50 kilometers) northeast of central London, is the city’s third busiest airport and is often used by government officials and visiting world leaders including U.S. President Joe Biden.
Just Stop Oil said the airfield was where Taylor Swift’s jet was parked, but Essex police said the pop star’s aircraft was not at the airport. Swift is doing three shows at London's Wembley Stadium from Friday through Sunday.
The arrests come a day after two of the group’s activists were detained for spraying orange paint on Stonehenge.
Just Stop Oil is one of many environmental groups around Europe that have received attention — and blowback — for disrupting sporting events, splashing paint and food on famous works of art and interrupting traffic to draw attention to global warming.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.