80-year-old climate activists smash Magna Carta window in London | UK

Two protesters for climateaged 82 and 85, broke part of the reinforced display case containing the original text of the Magna Carta at the British Library, in London, this Friday, before being detained by security guards. “Our Government is violating its own laws,” they said.

In a video released by the organization Just Stop Oil on social media, Sue Parfitt (82), an Anglican priest, held a chisel over the box while Judy Bruce (85) hit it repeatedly with a hammer. ​Demand to the British Conservative Government a plan to abandon the exploration and use of oil by 2030.

Parfitt then held up a banner that said “The Government is breaking the law”. “As a Christian, I feel compelled to do everything in my power to alleviate the terrible suffering that lies ahead and already exists… We must end oil,” Parfitt says in the video clip.

The historic document was not damaged, according to the British Library. The Magna Carta dates back to June 1215. It was the first document to declare in writing the principle that the king and his Government are not above the law. Its aim was to prevent the king from abusing his power, and imposed limits on royal authority as a power.

There are only four original texts of Magna Carta. Two of them are kept in the British Library, one is in Salisbury Cathedral and the other is in Lincoln Castle.

London’s Metropolitan Police later said they had detained two people on suspicion of criminal damage in connection with the incident.

The United Kingdom has been cracking down on demonstrations that disrupt public order, particularly by activists trying to draw attention to the urgency of dealing with climate change.

There are cases in which they interrupted sporting shows, blocked traffic and even invaded Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s private residence last year, to cover his house with black fabric, in protest against his oil policy.

In 2023, the Government passed new legislation allowing for tougher action against disruptive protests.

The Just Stop Oil group has stood out for actions targeting works of art and heritage to draw attention to climate urgency, such as the attack on painting The Toilet of Venus (also known as The Rokeby Venus), by Velázquez, at the National Gallery, in November 2023, or at Sunflowersby Van Gogh, with tomato soup thrown against the display case that protected it, also at the National Gallery, in 2022.