82-Year-Old Priest and Retired Teacher Target Magna Carta in Climate Protest

Two women in their 80s proved extreme climate activism is not just a young person’s game when they targeted the Magna Carta at the British Library in London on May 10.

According to the activist group Just Stop Oil, the Rev Dr Sue Parfitt, 82, an Anglican priest, and Judy Bruce, 85, a retired biology teacher from Swansea, took a hammer and chisel to the protective glass around the venerated 13th-century document.

Footage from Just Stop Oil shows the action, as well as the pair holding up a sign reading: “The government is breaking the law.”

The British Library said “2 individuals attacked the toughened glass case containing the Magna Carta in the Library’s Treasures Gallery. The Library’s Security team intervened to prevent further damage to the case, which was minimal.”

The library said the Magna Carta itself remained undamaged.

Two people were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, the Metropolitan Police told local media. Credit: Just Stop Oil via Storyful

Video transcript

What was that this famous document is about?

Can you come to and standing up against the government to do all that?

I can?

Can you stop doing that?

Please stop for me that is here already.

Whatever it takes.

Can you stop doing that?

So we must stop that, please.

Do you hear me?

Just stop.

Yes, We must just stop oil, Ok?

See?

Can you stop for me, please?