Sussex University sprayed with paint by Just Stop Oil

Oscar Denman-Gould used a fire extinguisher to spray the University of Sussex library orange this afternoon as part of a national action from climate campaigners Just Stop Oil.

The activist is calling on the government to halt new oil and gas projects in the country and for students and staff at the university to march with the group in London this November.

Five universities were targeted across the country by student protesters including Falmouth, Oxford and UCL.

Oscar while spraying the building (Image: Just Stop Oil)

Oscar, 20, said: "I didn't go to university because I couldn't see the point in it when I knew how bad things were, and what was coming.

"I wanted to be a teacher. The government's constant disregard for the futures of young people has taken that dream away from me."

Oscar sitting on the steps to the library after spraying it with orange paint (Image: Just Stop Oil)

The protest kicked off with Exeter English literature graduate Arthur Clifton using a fire extinguisher to paint the UCL pillars orange.

Meanwhile two students sprayed buildings at the Falmouth and Exter universities near the Penryn Campus.

A spokesman for Just Stop Oil said: "Just Stop Oil supporters are not prepared to stand by and watch while the government plans for millions to die and destroys everything we care about.

"It’s up to all of us now to come together and resist. We cannot let them divide us. Together we can be the real opposition this country needs and we will win.

"We will stop new oil and gas. People are coming together from all over the UK to march day after day in London from 29th October. It’s People vs Oil."

This protest comes months after Just Stop Oil targeted an opera at Glyndebourne in June.

But the protest did not stop students from going to the library (Image: Extinction Rebellion Brighton)

A recent report from The Guardian found that universities in the UK received over £40m in fossil fuel funding since 2022.

It said that more than £40.4m in research agreements, tuition fees, scholarships, grants and consultancy fees were pledged to 44 UK universities by 32 oil, coal and gas companies since 2022.

Read more: Children ditch the classroom for city-centre streets in latest climate protest

The University of Sussex said it "supports the right to protest, provided it is carried out respectfully and within the law" after the entrance to the listed building was defaced.

A spokeswoman added: "We’re disappointed that today’s protest resulted in vandalism of a university building.

“We take the climate crisis seriously. The University does not accept funding from oil and gas companies and, earlier this year, we joined a coalition of universities urging the asset management industry to halt support for fossil fuels. 

“We actively seek to partner with organisations that share our environmental values and are fully committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2035.”

Oscar wore a while Just Stop Oil t-shirt (Image: Extinction Rebellion Brighton)

But not everyone was happy with today's action. One X - formerly known as Twitter - user, said: "You should be made to clean every single place you have vandalised today.

"JSO are busy making sure our younger generation get the worst possible start in life, give up your degree to get a criminal record. Great choice".

However Daniel Silicon replied: "Good for him for choosing to deviate from this hellish world."

The Argus has contacted Sussex Police for comment.