WATCH: Just Stop Oil protestors defaced Charles Darwin’s grave at Westminster Abbey

Alyson Lee, 66, and Di Bligh, 77, were arrested for defacing Charles Darwin’s grave at Westminster Abbey with orange chalk.

On Monday morning, they covered the white marble gravestone with the message “1.5 is dead!” referring to reports that average global temperatures in 2024 exceeded 1.5C above the pre-industrial era.

“We have passed the 1.5-degree threshold that was supposed to keep us safe,” one of the activists said. 

“Darwin would be turning in his grave to know we are in the midst of the sixth mass extinction.”

Before their removal from Westminster Abbey by the police, the women sat next to Darwin’s grave.

“We are trying to get the government to act on climate change. They are not doing enough,” said Lee.

“Darwin once said, ‘It is not the strongest of the species, nor the most intelligent that survives,” said Bligh.

“It is the one that is the most adaptable to change, that lives within the means available and works co-operatively against common threats. Last year was the hottest since modern humans evolved. If we do not work together to rein in the corporations and billionaires driving us beyond our means, humanity will not be able to adapt to what is coming.”

“I believe he would approve because he was a good scientist and he would be following the science, and he would be as upset as us with the government for ignoring the science,” said Lee.

The Abbey remains open to visitors while the memorial is being cleaned.

“Westminster Abbey can confirm that orange chalk was sprayed by climate activists on Charles Darwin’s gravestone today,” said an Abbey spokesperson.

“The Abbey’s conservators are taking immediate action to clean the memorial and do not anticipate that there will be any permanent damage. The police were called to the scene and dealt with the incident. The Abbey remains open for visiting and worshipping.”

Charles Darwin, known for his theory of evolution by natural selection, passed away in 1882.

He is buried alongside Isaac Newton and Stephen Hawking in the Abbey’s scientist corner.

In recent years, the Just Stop Oil activist group has organized numerous high-profile demonstrations, including disruptions to sporting and theatrical events, defacing the United States embassy in London with paint, and throwing soup at Van Gogh paintings.

“Two women have been arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage with what is believed to be powdered paint at Westminster Abbey,” said a Metropolitan Police spokesperson.

“Police were called shortly after 10 AM on Monday, January 13, following reports that the women had been detained by security. They have been taken to a central London police station where they remain in custody.”