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

  • u/unhappy_grapefruit_2
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    1 year ago

    It’s still quite an asshole move. Certainly doesn’t bring people to your cause. Prehaps maybe they should just consider speaking to the owner of the vehicle or maybe leave a leaflet with some contact information. underneath the cars window wiper and call it a day that’ll bring more people to your cause than causing them some hardship these people should aim to win hearts and souls not crack skulls or… deflate vehicle tires and cause severe traffic accidents

    Not only that what if the owner is in a hury and doesn’t notice the deflated tires and continues his daily commute or what have you