Two climate activists, aged 82 and 85, made an attempt to damage the reinforced case containing an original text of the Magna Carta at the British Library in London on Friday.
Security personnel intervened before any significant harm was done, preventing the pair, one of whom is an Anglican priest, from causing substantial damage.
In a video circulated on social media by Just Stop Oil, Reverend Dr. Sue Parfitt, 82, was seen holding a chisel over the case while Judy Bruce, 85, struck it with a lump hammer multiple times. Parfitt then displayed a banner stating, “THE GOVERNMENT IS BREAKING THE LAW.”
The British Library confirmed that the historic document remained undamaged, with only minor damage to the toughened glass of the case.
The Magna Carta, a 13th-century English treaty, is a symbol of the principle that no one is above the law. Of the four original Magna Carta texts, two are housed in the British Library, one is located in Salisbury Cathedral, and the other is preserved in Lincoln Castle.
In the video clip, Parfitt expressed her motivation, stating, “As a Christian, I am compelled to do all that I can to alleviate the appalling suffering that’s coming down the line and is here already ... we must Just Stop Oil.”
Following the incident, London’s Metropolitan Police announced the arrest of two individuals on suspicion of criminal damage.
The United Kingdom has been implementing stricter measures against disruptive protests, particularly those led by climate activists. Previous demonstrations have disrupted sports events, obstructed traffic, and even involved intrusions into Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s private residence last year, where his house was draped in black fabric in protest against his oil policy. In response, the government passed legislation in 2023 to enable more robust action against disruptive protests. Photo by Wikimedia commons.