Just Stop Oil Duo Found Guilty After Tomato Soup Attack on Van Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers’
Two Just Stop Oil activists have been convicted of criminal damage following a shocking protest at London’s National Gallery. Phoebe Plummer and Anna Holland doused Vincent van Gogh’s iconic Sunflowers painting with tomato soup in October 2022. They then glued themselves to the wall beneath the masterpiece, sparking outrage.
Painting Protected but Frame Damaged in High-Profile Stunt
The dramatic disruption took place in Room 43, where Van Gogh’s Sunflowers hangs behind protective glass. The priceless artwork escaped unscathed, but the frame suffered minor damage. The pair aimed to pressure the UK government into halting new oil and gas projects, driving their climate change message through this incendiary tactic.
Judge Signals Jail Time, Bans Climate Crisis Defence
At Southwark Crown Court, Judge Hehir slammed the activists with criminal damage charges exceeding £5,000. He refused to allow any defence based on their climate change motivations or the proportionality of their actions. Sentencing is set for September 27, with custodial punishment expected.
“Any mention of the climate crisis during the trial was barred,” the judge declared, stirring debate over whether motive should influence sentencing in protest cases.
Climate Protests Heat Up as UK Faces Legal Scrutiny
The trial coincided with the UK’s hottest recorded day, adding dramatic irony to the courtroom showdown. Environmental activists continue to clash with the law over disruptive protests, while the government faces mounting pressure and legal challenges over its climate policies.
This case underlines the thorny battle between urgent activism and the limits of legality — and the UK’s fight to balance both.
