Heritage in Danger: Hammer-Wielding Fanatics in Museum Gallery

Harry Low, 'Magna Carta case damaged by Just Stop Oil protesters at British Library' BBC News 10.05.2024 14 hours ago

Two Just Stop Oil protesters have been arrested after damaging the case around the Magna Carta at the British Library. Reverend Sue Parfitt, 82, and Judy Bruce, 85, a retired biology teacher, targeted the glass enclosure around the historic document on Friday. The pair then held up a sign reading "The Government is breaking the law" before gluing themselves to the display, footage posted online shows.

The BBC thought it was then newcesary to explain to its British readers "What is Magna Carta?". Hmmm. At a time when the British Museum's ability to look after teh heritage objects it has stashed away increasingly comes under question, the issue is how this couple got a hefty hammer and cold chisel through the metal detectors and security checks at the Libray's entrance" Imagine if, instead of attacking a glass case these attention-seeking fanatics had taken a left and gone into the Egyptian Sculpture galleries, or thwe ones with teh Assyrian palace reliefs - or the Parthenon gallery? Since the British Museum demonstrably really cannot protect the objects it holds, maybe all these things should now be returned to their countries of origin?