Two environmental protesters arrested after spraying Stonehenge with orange paint

Two environmental protesters have been arrested after spraying Stonehenge with orange paint, according to the group responsible and local police.

Wiltshire Police said in a statement they arrested two people "following an incident at Stonehenge" on Wednesday afternoon.

"At around noon, we responded to a report that orange paint had been sprayed on some of the stones by two suspects," police said in the statement. "Officers attended the scene and arrested two people on suspicion of damaging the ancient monument."

The group responsible is an environmental activism group called Just Stop Oil. The group posted a video of the incident on X, saying "2 people took action the day before Summer Solstice, demanding the incoming government sign up to a legally binding treaty to phase out fossil fuels by 2030."

The group said in a news release posted to its website that "today's action has come days after the Labour party's manifesto has recommitted them to stopping all future licenses for new oil and gas, should they form the next government."

Just Stop Oil identified the two men that were arrested as a 21-year-old student from Oxford and a 73-year-old man from Birmingham.

"Orange powdered paint has been thrown at a number of the stones at Stonehenge," the monument's official X account said Wednesday. "Obviously, this is extremely upsetting and our curators are investigating the extent of the damage. More updates to follow but the site remains open," the post reads.

In response to the incident, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said "Just Stop Oil are a disgrace" in a post on X.

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.