Environmental activists protested by using a hammer and chisel to damage the glass casing protecting an original copy of the Magna Carta at London’s British Library. The activists, Rev. Sue Parfitt, 82, and Judy Bruce, 85, attempted to chip away at the glass but were largely unsuccessful, causing only minor damage.
Bruce stated that their actions were in response to government abuses of power, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law. Parfitt cited her Christian faith as the motivation for their protest, holding a sign accusing the government of breaking the law.
Their act received widespread condemnation on social media, with many negative comments criticizing their actions. British actor and Reclaim Party leader Laurence Fox called them “demented grandparents” and demanded they be imprisoned. Historian Andreas Koureas also expressed disgust and called for their imprisonment.
The activists are part of the group Just Stop Oil, known for radical environmental activism that includes vandalizing artwork. The group is associated with Extinction Rebellion and funded by the Climate Emergency Fund, which has prominent backers such as Rory Kennedy, Aileen Getty, and Adam McKay.
The Magna Carta, signed in 1215, was a response to King John I’s abuses of power and is seen as a foundational document in the history of democracy. Despite debates on its immediate impact, it has influenced democratic principles and the Constitution of the United States.
