LONDON (AFP) — An environmental protestor put anti-pollution face masks on at least two of China's terracotta warriors at an exhibition in London, to highlight China's pollution record, a report said Monday.
Martin Wyness jumped over barriers to place the masks bearing the slogan "CO2 emission polluter" on the warriors, some 20 of whom have been on display at the British Museum since last month, the Evening Standard reported.
"I did it because I have got two children and I am very very concerned about the global inaction over climate change, particularly what is happening in China," he told the paper, which printed pictures of the be-masked warriors.
The 49-year-old, who staged the protest during a visit to the museum with his daughters Ruby and Sophie, was dragged away by security guards.
"I saw the man climb over the barriers. He was totally calm and silent. None of the security staff had any idea what was going on," witness Amelia Hanratty told the paper.
"They only found out when a member of the public alerted them. Two dashed over and frogmarched him away. He could have damaged the soldiers but he didn't do anything to them except put on the masks."
A Chinese official accompanying the warriors during the show is checking the statues, while Wyness has been banned from the British Museum for life.
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