Two activists arrested after Rokeby Venus artwork targeted, as dozens of others held after blocking Whitehall

Just Stop Oil protesters have been arrested after smashing the glass covering a Diego Velázquez painting at the National Gallery in London, as police detained dozens of others who blocked Whitehall.

Two activists targeted the glass on the Rokeby Venus painting with safety hammers before they were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.

The artwork, which was painted by Velázquez in the 1600s, was slashed by the suffragette Mary Richardson in 1914. One of those involved on Monday said: “Women did not get the vote by voting; it is time for deeds not words.”

The Metropolitan police said at least 40 activists who were “slow marching” in Whitehall were also detained and that the road was clear after traffic was stopped for a brief period

  • @topinambour_rex
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    6611 months ago

    Throwing paint on buildings owned owned by oil companies make more sense, but it never reach the news.

    • @[email protected]
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      1311 months ago

      They have also targeted luxury car dealerships. People said the exact same things they always say when they do anything.

      • @[email protected]
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        11 months ago

        Just because their other attempts at protests failed to make the statement they were aiming for doesn’t make this one any better. If they have a track record of doing stupid shit it’s hardly a testament to their feigned statements.

    • @xkforce
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      111 months ago

      deleted by creator

      • @topinambour_rex
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        11 months ago

        They did it. Several times, before to throw paint on art. How many articles did you read about it ?

      • @SuperIce
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        -111 months ago

        I’m not sure what you mean by “sure it would”.