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UK climate activists in court over Van Gogh protest

Two environmental protesters threw tomato soup over one of Vincent van Gogh's "Sunflowers" paintings at London's National Gallery

By AFP
October 15, 2022
A handout picture from the Just Stop Oil climate campaign group shows activists with their hands glued to the wall under Vincent van Gogh´s Sunflowers after throwing tomato soup on the painting at the National Gallery in central London on October 14, 2022.— AFP
A handout picture from the Just Stop Oil climate campaign group shows activists with their hands glued to the wall under Vincent van Gogh´s "Sunflowers" after throwing tomato soup on the painting at the National Gallery in central London on October 14, 2022.— AFP

LONDON: Two environmental protesters appeared in a UK court Saturday after throwing tomato soup over one of Vincent van Gogh's "Sunflowers" paintings at London's National Gallery.

Following the latest "direct-action" stunt targeting works of art, Anna Holland, 20, and Phoebe Plummer, 21, both pleaded not guilty to criminal damage.

The painting itself was protected by a screen but damage was caused to the frame, according to the gallery in Trafalgar Square.

District judge Tan Irkam released the two women on bail, pending a trial on December 13 in London.

Holland and Plummer, climate activists with the group Just Stop Oil, also glued themselves to the gallery wall during Friday´s protest.

Another Just Stop Oil protest on Friday targeted the New Scotland Yard headquarters of London's Metropolitan Police, who arrested 28 demonstrators.

Lora Johnson, 38, pleaded not guilty to criminal damage in the same London court Saturday after allegedly spraying orange paint on the New Scotland Yard sign, as others blocked the road outside.