Two people have been arrested after climate activists smashed and vandalised a display that holds one of Scotland's most important historical objects. The unit housing William William's sword was targeted in the latest stunt carried out by protest group, 'This is Rigged', who are demanding that there will be no new fossil fuel projects in the North Sea and that a clear transition plan is created for oil workers.
The glass structure that holds the artefact was cracked open before the words 'This is Rigged' was spray painted on it. A man and a woman have been cuffed in connection with the incident, which took place at the Wallace Monument in Stirling around noon on Thursday March 2.
The Wallace sword, which is believed to have belonged to the famous knight in the middle ages, is a symbol of freedom in Scotland and has a legacy of being used by different group to spread a message, including suffragette Ethel Moorhead in 1912 and Scottish Nationalist who stolen the artefact in 1936.
This Rigged said in a statement: “111 years ago suffragettes stood in this very spot to stand up for their rights and freedom, 600 years before William Wallace defended our freedom with this very sword. Now it is time for us to stand up for ourselves too.
"This is Rigged will continue in civil resistance until our demands are met.
"We call out to anyone living in Scotland to join the campaign, “to help create a fair and just Scotland. A Scotland where people’s lives are valued over corporate profits and no Scot is left behind.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We received a report of damage to a glass case at the Wallace Monument, Hillfoots Road, Stirling, around noon on Thursday, 2 March, 2023.
“Officers attended and a man and a woman have been arrested in connection and enquiries are ongoing.”
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