The Metropolitan Police have arrested two Just Stop Oil activists identified as Hanan Ameur and Harrison Donnelly for destroying a historic painting called the Rokeby Venus, worth over $90 million in a viral video
According to reports, both Hanan Ameur and Harrison Donnelly are in their twenties and affiliated with the Just Stop Oil movement.
Who are Hanan Ameur and Harrison Donnelly Just Stop Oil protestors who destroyed Rokeby Venus painting in viral video
BREAKING: Climate cult strikes again
Just Stop Oil lunatics took hammers and attacked Rokeby Venus, painted in 1651 ($90M) in the London National Gallery pic.twitter.com/97VumWIWeg
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) November 6, 2023
Two Just Stop Oil activists, Hanan and Harrison, were arrested for smashing the glass protecting the Rokeby Venus at London’s National Gallery. About 100 Just Stop Oil protesters were also arrested. Share your thoughts in the comments. #ClimateActivism #JustStopOil pic.twitter.com/UIYRvPcSlD
— Maple Life TV (@MapleLifeTV) November 6, 2023
Following the incident, the National Gallery evacuated the room, which housed the artwork, and removed it from display for examination by conservators.
Hanan and Harrison, Just Stop Oil activists destroy Rokeby Venus painting
Two Just Stop Oil activists decide to took direct action by targeting the historic Rokeby Venus painting. The incident took place at around 10:45 am (1045 GMT), when the two activists entered the National Gallery museum in London, England and started destroying the Rokeby Venus painting. The two activists vandalized the painting using safety hammers to shatter the protective glass covering the artwork.
According to reports, the two activists carried out the act as a part of the group’s larger demand for a complete stop of new oil and gas projects across the United Kingdom. Notably, the same painting was previously vandalized by suffragette Mary Richardson back in 1914. As such, their act of defiance draws parallel to the historic suffragette movement. While addressing the gallery’s onlookers, the two activists went on to declare:
Women did not get the vote by voting; it is time for deeds not words. It is time to Just Stop Oil.”
According to the Metropolitan Police, they have arrested the two individuals for causing criminal damage to the artwork.
Hanan and Harrison
According to reports, Hanan Ameur and Harrison Donnelly are both London-based students who are a part of the Just Stop Oil movement. Hanan is reportedly 22 years old while Harrison is about 20 years old.
While committing their act, Hanan explained her motivation, stating:
Over 100 years ago, the suffragette Mary Richardson attacked the Rokeby Venus portrait for the unjust imprisonment of Emmeline Pankhurst. Today I have used similar methods in the fight for climate justice.”
Rokeby Venus
The Rokeby Venus is a famous painting created between 1647 and 1651. It portrays the goddess Venus reclining on a bed while looking into a mirror held by her son Cupid. The painting holds a historical significance not just as a work of art but also because of how it was embroiled in the suffragette protests back in 1914. During the protests, suffragette member Mary Richardson inflicted seven slashes upon the painting which were all eventually repaired.
Just Stop Oil movement protests
Over the past few months, the Just Stop Oil movement protesters have taken part in various demonstrations across the UK. The protestors frequently engage themselves in disrupting traffic and interfering with various sporting and cultural events. The group have previously targeted the National Gallery last year when protesters decided to affix their hands to the frame of the painting “The Hay Wain” as an act of protest.
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