Just before Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated Wembley Eras Tour, an unexpected incident has caused a stir. Swift’s private jet was targeted by eco-activists at Stansted Airport in London, where it was vandalized with orange paint.
The protest was led by the environmental group ‘Just Stop Oil’, which aims to highlight the dangers of fossil fuel consumption. The Jennifer Kowalski and Cole Macdonald, activists chose several private jets at the airport, including Taylor Swift’s, as their targets. The protest took place early in the morning, around 5 am, with two activists breaking into the airfield by cutting through the fence. Using fire extinguishers filled with orange paint, they marked the planes.
🚨 JUST STOP OIL PAINT PRIVATE JETS HOURS AFTER TAYLOR SWIFT’S LANDS
🔥 Jennifer and Cole cut the fence into the private airfield at Stansted where @taylorswift13‘s jet is parked, demanding an emergency treaty to end fossil fuels by 2030.
💸 Donate — https://t.co/UwALfVtRmR pic.twitter.com/aORdvUuQmU
— Just Stop Oil (@JustStop_Oil) June 20, 2024
This incident comes amid growing criticism of celebrities for their use of private jets, which contribute significantly to carbon emissions. Taylor Swift, known for her Eras Tour and busy touring schedule, especially has become a prime target for such criticism. Other high-profile figures like Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and Leonardo DiCaprio have also faced backlash for their frequent private jet travels.
Kowalski and Macdonald, explained their motives. Macdonald stated, “We’re living in two worlds: one where billionaires live in luxury, able to fly in private jets, and another where unlivable conditions are being imposed on countless millions.” He added, referencing Swift’s song “Cruel Summer,” “This system allows extreme wealth for a few, to the detriment of everyone else, destroying the conditions necessary to support human life.”
🧯 Jennifer Kowalski, 28, a former sustainability manager from Dumbarton, was arrested alongside Cole for painting private jets at Stansted Airport this morning.
💬 Before taking action, Jenn said: “Over the years, I’ve had to realise that even working in sustainability provides… pic.twitter.com/QXbwATeNwN
— Just Stop Oil (@JustStop_Oil) June 20, 2024
Despite the incident, Taylor Swift is set to perform at Wembley Stadium on Friday
