Few demonstrations have stirred debate quite like the one at Stonehenge, where three Just Stop Oil activists made headlines for spraying the ancient monument with orange powder.
What started as a symbolic act against fossil fuels quickly turned into a legal battle that tested the limits of protest and free expression in the UK.
Now, after months of proceedings, the trio — 74-year-old Rajan Naidu, Oxford student Niamh Lynch, 23, and 36-year-old Luke Watson — have been found not guilty of criminal damage and public nuisance charges.
Their actions, though controversial, were ultimately deemed a lawful exercise of protest.
The Day Stonehenge Turned Orange
On June 19 last year, just a day before thousands were expected to gather for the summer solstice, the activists arrived at the historic site in Wiltshire.
Armed with colour blasters filled with cornflour, talc, and bright orange dye, they sprayed the stones in what they described as a peaceful protest.
The demonstration, prosecutors said, was carefully planned for “maximum impact.”
The group wanted to draw attention to the government’s fossil fuel policies — but in doing so, they trespassed into restricted areas of the site, sparking outrage among heritage conservationists.
The Courtroom Drama
During their trial at Salisbury Crown Court, Naidu, Lynch, and Watson admitted to taking part in the protest but argued they had a “reasonable excuse” under their rights to free speech and peaceful protest.
Their defense rested on Articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
In court, Naidu explained that the orange powder used in the stunt was the same type used in Holi, the Hindu festival of colour — biodegradable and easily washable.
“It’s used in celebrations,” he said, adding that he had researched the safety of the materials beforehand.
Lynch, meanwhile, told jurors she was “devastated” to hear there was still a trace of powder left on the stones immediately after the event, though experts later confirmed there was no lasting damage to the rare lichen covering the monument.
The Verdict and the Judge’s Reflection
After six hours of deliberation, the jury cleared all three defendants of both charges.
As the verdict was read, the activists hugged and smiled in relief.
Judge Paul Dugdale thanked the jury but issued a reminder to everyone in court: freedom of speech must be balanced against protecting cultural heritage.
He told jurors, “We are very fortunate to live in a free society… sometimes protecting the right to protest can mean that actions that might otherwise be unlawful are regarded as lawful.”
The Story Behind the Activists
Luke Watson’s journey into activism began years earlier while working on an organic farm.
He later joined Extinction Rebellion in 2019 before becoming involved with Just Stop Oil.
He was the one who drove his co-defendants to Stonehenge in his grandmother’s Ford Fiesta and ordered the orange blasters online.
Naidu, the oldest of the three, described feeling that “direct action was necessary” after years of peaceful lobbying and demonstrations failed to spark meaningful government change. “We’re still on a highway to hell,” he told the court.
The Prosecution’s Argument
Prosecutor Simon Jones had urged the jury to see the protest as a deliberate act of vandalism, calling it a “blatant disregard” for one of the world’s most recognized prehistoric landmarks.
He emphasized that Stonehenge is not just a national treasure but a sacred space for many visitors seeking spiritual connection.
Jones revealed that the cleanup — which cost around £620 — required specialist techniques but left no lasting harm.
Even so, he said, the stunt was designed to “shock and disturb” the public.
The Message Behind the Action
Despite the controversy, the activists maintained that their goal was to raise awareness about the ongoing climate crisis and the UK’s continued reliance on fossil fuels. They viewed their actions not as destruction, but as a wake-up call to the public and government alike.
Defence lawyer Gerard Pitt reminded jurors in his closing statement that history often remembers peaceful protestors who challenge norms.
“Sometimes people are going to take non-violent action, and sometimes it’s going to need cleaning up,” he said.
“Tell the world that it’s fine — not only fine, but something to be proud of.”
A Debate That Won’t End Here
The Stonehenge case has reignited a national conversation about where to draw the line between peaceful protest and public disruption.
For Just Stop Oil, the verdict is a victory — one that reinforces their right to protest.
For others, it’s a worrying sign that the country’s most cherished landmarks could once again become protest targets.
As the debate continues, one thing is certain — the orange dust at Stonehenge may have been washed away, but the argument it sparked won’t fade anytime soon.