Just Stop Oil duo slap private jets with orange paint in daring Stansted protest
Two women arrested after £5,000 damage at Stansted Airport
Just Stop Oil activists Jennifer Kowalski, 28, and Cole Macdonald, 22, face charges of criminal damage after dousing private jets in bright orange paint at Stansted Airport early Thursday morning. The pair are due in Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court this Saturday.
The protest caused over £5,000 worth of damage to two aircraft in a secure part of the airport. Essex Police swooped in just nine minutes after reports of the “unauthorised access” and vandalism at around 5am.
Swift police response catches eco-protesters red-handed
Police confirmed the pair entered a restricted zone away from passenger terminals and runways before striking. An Essex Police spokesperson said: “Officers arrived swiftly after reports of two individuals gaining access to a private airfield area and causing damage to aircraft.”
Just Stop Oil stunt sparks heated debate on protest tactics
This latest dramatic move from the environmental group builds on their recent headline-grabbing campaigns aimed at spotlighting fossil fuel damage to the planet. While supporters laud their passion for climate action, critics slam such tactics as damaging and disruptive.
With public attention focused on major events like Taylor Swift’s London Eras Tour at Wembley and Sabrina Carpenter’s UK chart climb, the activists’ stunt has grabbed its own headlines — fuelling fierce debate over where to draw the line between protest and crime.
More updates expected as Kowalski and Macdonald appear in court on Saturday.
