Current:Home > NewsClimate protesters in England glued themselves to a copy of 'The Last Supper' -Streamline Finance
Climate protesters in England glued themselves to a copy of 'The Last Supper'
View
Date:2025-04-13 17:35:13
With a bit of glue and spray paint, protesters took action at a gallery at London's Royal Academy of Arts to demand greater government action on climate change.
A group of at least five activists from the group Just Stop Oil spray painted "No New Oil" underneath the painting Copy of Leonardo's The Last Supper and glued their hands to the artwork's frame. The painting depicts the scene from the Bible when Jesus holds his last supper with his Twelve Apostles and tells them that one of them will betray him. The 500-year-old copy of Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece has been attributed to da Vinci student Giampietrino, and painter Giovanni Antonio Boltraffio may have also worked on it.
The protesters that targeted the painting on Tuesday called on their nation's government to commit to immediately ending all new oil and gas licenses in the U.K., according to a video showing the demonstration. They also called on members of the nation's art institutions to support a "peaceful civil resistance," Just Stop Oil said in a statement.
This is just the latest action in a spree of other moves by the U.K. group. Activists from the same organization have recently glued themselves to a painting in Glasgow, to a Vincent Van Gogh painting in London, a painting at the Manchester Art Gallery, and another at the National Gallery in London.
This past weekend six more activists from the same group were arrested following a protest on the track of a Formula 1 race at the Silverstone Circuit in England, according to the BBC.
The group says it's turning to such public displays of protest to pressure global leaders to adhere to promises to cut greenhouse gas emissions in order to curtail global warming.
Global leaders had agreed to limit the world's warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) by 2100. Scientists say the most catastrophic effects of global warming can be prevented if successful, but the world is not on track to meet that target.
"We have no time left, to say that we do is a lie. We must halt all new oil and gas right now, we will stop disrupting art institutions as soon as the government makes a meaningful statement to do so," Lucy Porter, 47, a former primary teacher from Leeds that participated in the demonstration, said in a statement provided by Just Stop Oil. "Until then, the disruption will continue so that young people know we are doing all we can for them. There is nothing I would rather be doing."
The Royal Academy of the Arts didn't immediately return NPR's request for comment. It's unclear if the painting suffered any damage as a result of the demonstration.
veryGood! (7)
Related
- Audit: California risked millions in homelessness funds due to poor anti-fraud protections
- South Dakota man arrested and charged in Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol
- Prosecutor drops all charges filed against Scottie Scheffler in PGA Championship arrest
- US District Judge Larry Hicks dies after being struck by vehicle near Nevada courthouse
- Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
- Amazon gets FAA approval allowing it to expand drone deliveries for online orders
- IRS makes free tax return program permanent and is asking all states to join in 2025
- World's first wooden satellite built by Japanese researchers
- Golf's No. 1 Nelly Korda looking to regain her form – and her spot on the Olympic podium
- Caitlin Clark returns to action: How to watch Indiana Fever vs. Seattle Storm on Thursday
Ranking
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Human remains found in jaws of alligator in Houston after woman reported missing
- Owner of UK’s Royal Mail says it has accepted a takeover offer from a Czech billionaire
- Human remains found in jaws of alligator in Houston after woman reported missing
- Former Milwaukee hotel workers charged with murder after video shows them holding down Black man
- AP interview: Divisions among the world’s powerful nations are undermining UN efforts to end crises
- Some companies plan to increase return-to-office requirements, despite risk of losing talent
- Bird flu updates: 4.2M infected chickens to be culled in Iowa, cases detected in alpacas
Recommendation
Paris Olympics live updates: Quincy Hall wins 400m thriller; USA women's hoops in action
Haiti's transitional council names Garry Conille as new prime minister as country remains under siege by gangs
NTSB now leading probe into deadly Ohio building explosion
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Flowery Language
Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
Biden to make his first state visit to France after attending D-Day 80th commemorations next week
Gift registries after divorce offer a new way to support loved ones
Usher, Victoria Monét will receive prestigious awards from music industry group ASCAP