Sakshi Bafna
After throwing tomato soup at a painting by Vincent van Gogh at the National Gallery in London, two ladies, Anna Holland, 20, and Phoebe Plummer, 21 were charged with criminal damage on Saturday. Two women tossed Heinz tomato soup cans full of tomato soup onto Vincent van Gogh’s 1880s painting “Sunflowers.” They later adhered their hands to the exhibition wall using glue.
The two did not damage the oil painting, according to prosecutor Ola Oyedepo, because it was protected by a glass case. However, she claimed that the frame had been harmed. By Friday afternoon, the picture had been cleaned and was back on exhibit.
At the New Scotland Yard headquarters of the London Metropolitan Police, a third woman was accused of dousing paint on a sign. During their brief appearances at the Westminster Magistrates’ Court, all three pleaded not guilty to the charge of criminal property damage.
According to the Associated Press news agency, District Judge Tan Irkam ordered them released on bond with the restriction that they do not have paint or adhesive chemicals on them in public areas.
The women belonged to the anti-oil and gas project Just Stop Oil organization, which has been pressing the UK government to halt new oil and gas projects. The organization has been holding demonstrations in the British capital for the past two weeks, frequently targeting national icons.
In recent protests Aston Martin luxury cars showroom was splattered with paint to again focus the attention of the deaddiction of fossil fuels. Just Stop Oil protesters have been demanding the stoppage of the newer oil excavation licenses. Two male activists from Just Stop Oil have occupied the Dartford Crossing Bridge creating traffic disruptions. They are demanding a meaningful statement regarding the recent plans for new oil drilling licenses.
