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Moment Just Stop Oil PRIEST & her elderly mate smash glass around Magna Carta in eco-zealots’ latest brazen vandalism
Watch the moment the elderly protesters targeted the Magna Carta
TWO Just Stop Oil protesters in their 80s have smashed the glass around the Magna Carta at the British Library.
Reverend Sue Parfitt, 82, and Judy Bruce, 85, a retired biology teacher targeted the protective enclosure around the historic document with a hammer and chisel on Friday morning.
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Video shows Rev Parfitt holding the chisel as Ms Bruce slowly hammers and the glass cracks, with people seen filming them.
The Magna Carta was issued in June 1215 and was the first document to put into writing the principle that the King and his government were not above the law.
It comes after Labour MP Steve Reed told The Sun's Never Mind The Ballots show protesters like Just Stop Oil "aggravate and upset the public".
The campaign group said the pair held up a sign reading "The Government is breaking the law" before gluing themselves to the display.
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What is the Magna Carta?
The Magna Carta was issued in June 1215 and was the first document to put into writing the principle that the King and his government were not above the law.
It sought to prevent the king from exploiting his power, and placed limits of royal authority by establishing law as a power in itself.
The first version of it was issued at Runnymede, an otherwise obscure field lying next to the Thames in Berkshire between Windsor and Staines.
Charters granting rights and liberties to individuals and groups were issued by lords throughout society, including the king.
They were written records of someone's action and were authenticated with a wax seal.
Although its form was normal for the time, Magna Carta was the product of political crisis and an uprising of the leading men of England.
In the 21st century, four exemplifications of the original 1215 charter remain in existence, two at the British Library, one at Lincoln Castle and one at Salisbury Cathedral.
Social media users have been quick to criticise them.
One said: "Absolutely disgusting behaviour. Lock em up."
Another added: "Over privileged numpties again. Probably think they can get way with it because of age.
"Should have more respect and need severe punishment. Do the crime do the time."
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A third said: "Pathetic. And it didn't even break."
The police have confirmed two people were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.
Moment Just Stop Oil eco-idiots have water thrown over them after ANOTHER nuisance stunt holding up traffic
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: "At 10.52 police were called to the British Library to reports of Just Stop Oil activists trying to damage the Magna Carta.
"Officers arrested two people on suspicion of criminal damage, both of which are currently in custody.
"The damage caused was to the protective case and not the exhibit itself."
Who are Just Stop Oil?
Just Stop Oil is a British environmental activist group.
Their members have become infamous for their acts of organised vandalism and traffic obstruction in their aim of getting the Government to commit to ending new fossil fuel licensing and production.
The group was founded in February 2022 and began protesting at English oil terminals in April 2022.
JSO announced earlier this year that it would be targeting airports this summer.
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