Thursday 30 June 2022 10:54 PM Just Stop Oil eco zealots risk ten years in prison after targeting Van Gogh's ... trends now
Just Stop Oil protestors have risked ten years in prison after they glued themselves to the frame of Vincent Van Gogh's Peach Trees In Blossom painting in the group's latest stunt.
Two climate activists attached themselves to the iconic 19th-century painting at the Courtauld Gallery in London on Thursday - as they called for the government to end new oil and gas extraction.
Louis McKechnie, who was named as one of the demonstrators, is an eco-zealot who strapped himself to a goalpost during the Everton versus Newcastle football match back in March.
The 21-year-old stormed the pitch half way through the Premier League bout and zip-tied himself to the woodwork wearing a bright orange t-shirt saying: 'Just stop oil.'
McKechnie halted play for seven minutes before the stadium's staff prised him free with a huge pair of bolt cutters and hauled him off the pitch where he was arrested.
The stunt comes just a day after protestors glued themselves to Horatio McCulloch's My Heart Is In The Highlands 19th-century painting in Kelvingrove Art Gallery and spray-painted their logo on the walls and floor of the building.
Five protestors were arrested and are expected to appear at the Glasgow Sheriff's Court.
Just Stop Oil protestors have risked ten years in prison after they glued themselves to the frame of Vincent Van Gogh's Peach Trees In Blossom painting in the group's latest stunt.
Louis McKechnie, who was named as one of the demonstrators, is an eco-zealot who strapped himself to a goalpost during the Everton versus Newcastle football match back in March
The mechanical engineering student was one of nine demonstrators hauled to the High Court for breaking a government injunction
Despite his age, McKechnie is a seasoned disruptor who has caused havoc in recent months with Insulate Britain's protests on major UK roads.
The mechanical engineering student was one of nine demonstrators hauled to the High Court for breaking a government injunction stopping the thugs gluing themselves to carriageways including the M25 last year.
The lout was locked up for three months in HMP Thameside, but on his release after half that time he boasted how he had been 'terrified' but was welcomed by other lags who he claimed were 'entertained' by his protests.
He told LBC in January: 'My experience of prison has emboldened me to take any future action regardless of whether prison is a consequence.'
