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The British Museum occupied

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  • 8th February 2020. Climate change protests against BP at the British Museum - Image courtesy of Diana More 1.jpg
  • 8th February 2020. Climate change protests against BP at the British Museum - Image courtesy of Ron Fassbender 1.jpg
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In the early morning of the 8th of February 2020, climate activist group BP or not BP occupied the courtyard of the renowned London-based British Museum. The so-called ‘actor-vists’ made their appearance long before the museum's opening hours, bringing with them a solar-powered, wooden replica of the Trojan horse and anchoring it right in front of the main entrance. The wooden beast was furnished with a sound system that produced ominous horse noises, and had a hollow body big enough for a number of activists to hide themselves in, thereby preventing the museum staff from removing the horse from the premises. When the museum gates opened, the people walking across the courtyard naturally noticed the blatant green BP-logo on the body of the horse. BP or not BP has been theatrically protesting against the oil company, its use of fossil fuels, and its ties to the cultural industry since 2012. This protest was in line with their programme of activism, and the group did not leave the museum at any time during the weekend (not even at night). The group had organized numerous activities throughout the exhibits from theatrical performances to art workshops to speeches by affected parties. Over the course of the weekend, more than 1200 visitors joined the activists in their protest, making it the largest protest the British Museum has seen so far. Why was this protest held in the British Museum, and why the use of the Trojan horse?