Climate activists from Just Stop Oil attacked Diego Velázquez’s 17th-century painting “Rokeby Venus” in London’s National Gallery on Monday; they used hammers to shatter the glass protecting the work of art.
Following the destruction, the climate activists, identifeid as Harrison Donnelly, 20, and Hanan, 22, addressed onlookers.
“Women did not get the vote by voting; it is time for deeds not words. It is time to Just Stop Oil,” said Hanan, who was not identified by her full name by the organization.
“Politics is failing us. Politics failed women in 1914,” Donnelly, who was identified by his full name, said.
“Millions will die due to new oil and gas licenses. Millions!” Donnelly continued. “If we love history, if we love art, and if we love our families, we must just stop oil.”
Watch the clip above.
A spokesperson for the National Gallery told Fox News Digital the pair who smashed the painting were arrested. They have been reportedly charged on suspicion of criminal damage.
“At just before 11am this morning (6 November 2023) two people entered Room 30 of the National Gallery,” a National Gallery spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “The pair appeared to strike The Toilet of Venus (‘The Rokeby Venus’) (1647-1651) by Velázquez with what appeared to be emergency rescue hammers.”
“The room was cleared of visitors and police were called. Two people have been arrested. The painting has now been removed from display and is being examined by Conservators. Room 30 was reopened just after 12.30pm with A Dead Soldier, Italian (17th century) replacing The Toilet of Venus.”
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