Two environmental activists, Rev. Sue Parfitt, and Judy Bruce, targeted the original Magna Carta in the United Kingdom during a protest to raise awareness of climate change. The duo, aged 82 and 85, were arrested after attacking a glass case containing the historical document at the British Library in London. The protesters, part of the environmental group Just Stop Oil, used a hammer and chisel to hit the case, causing minor damage, although the Magna Carta remained unharmed. In a statement post-arrest, they emphasized the importance of the Magna Carta in history and law, but stressed the urgent need to address climate breakdown to preserve freedom and rights.
The activists and their group are advocating to end the world’s reliance on fossil fuels, asserting that allowing climate breakdown to worsen would undermine all freedoms and laws. During their demonstration, Judy Bruce highlighted the essence of the Magna Carta in standing up against abuse of power, pointing out how the government’s inaction on climate change violates its own laws. Rev. Sue Parfitt invoked her Christian faith as a motivation to act against climate change and alleviate the suffering that it causes. The pair’s actions are part of a broader movement to raise awareness and push for urgent action to address climate change.
The British Library’s security team intervened during the protest, preventing further damage to the case containing the Magna Carta. As a result, the Treasures Gallery where the document is housed was closed until further notice. The Magna Carta is a 13th-century English treaty that established the principle that nobody is above the law and is considered a foundational document of Western democracy. Only four original texts of the Magna Carta exist, with two held in the British Library, one in Salisbury Cathedral, and another in Lincoln Castle.
The incident involving the activists targeting the Magna Carta is a part of a broader trend of environmental protests aimed at raising awareness of climate change and advocating for urgent action to combat it. The use of symbolic acts to draw attention to the issue and emphasize the urgency of addressing climate breakdown is a tactic employed by various groups globally. While the protesters caused minor damage to the case containing the Magna Carta, the document itself was left unharmed, underscoring the continued importance of historical and legal artifacts in inspiring action on contemporary issues.
The duo’s protest at the British Library reflects their commitment to using non-violent direct action to draw attention to the existential threat posed by climate change. Their willingness to face arrest for their actions underscores the seriousness of the issue and the need for immediate action to mitigate its effects. By targeting a historically significant document like the Magna Carta, the activists seek to emphasize the connection between historical principles of freedom and justice and the urgent need to protect the environment and combat climate change. Their actions, while controversial, have succeeded in sparking conversations and raising awareness about the pressing issue of climate breakdown.
