In the past week, police have detained 137 more members of the eco-group Just Stop Oil after they attacked seven gas stations and “decommissioned” their pumps throughout London.
In West and South London, more than 50 protestors began to act about 6 a.m. today, breaking screens, painting pumps, and blocking entrances before settling down to await arrest.
Since the campaign’s launch on April 1, 1,296 people have been detained as protesters have called on the government to halt new oil and gas developments in the UK.
Supporters of Just Stop Oil sat on the road with banners in some places to block entrance to the gas stations, preventing motorists from filling up their automobiles.
Following the shutdown of four gas stations along the M25’s highway services on Wednesday due to protesters, this has happened.
The protests in London this morning sparked a furious response from drivers, one of whom said that defacing the sites “puts people off your cause.”
According to the organisation, this most recent move was timed to coincide with Ofgem’s announcement that the average home energy bill will be capped at £3,549 starting on October 1.
Additionally, Just Stop Oil has announced that it will occupy Westminster as of October 3.
On October 1, the group announced that they will march from several locations throughout London to gather in Westminster.
They want to return to block Westminster on October 2 to demand that the government cease the production of additional oil.
They will continue to block roads and put themselves in danger of arrest starting on October 3 as they “occupy” Westminster “week after week until we win.”
According to Just Stop Oil, this is due to a number of factors, including the government’s approval of new fossil fuel extraction this fall, energy price increases that have forced millions of people into fuel poverty, and a dependence on fuel and gas that has resulted in the worst cost of living crisis in 40 years.
‘Just Stop Oil’ continued to oppose the government’s intentions to approve 46 new oil and gas projects by 2025, according to a statement from the group.
The timing of today’s action was chosen to coincide with Ofgem’s announcement of a significant hike in electricity rates for October, which would force millions more people into poverty and force them to choose between heating and eating.
The group stated on their website that now is the time to unite and resist. We are not willing to stand by and let them annihilate what we cherish.
We’ve had enough of begging. Voting has had no impact. Whether those in charge agree or not, we’ll stop the production of fresh oil. Under British law, we have every right to defend ourselves, our loved ones, and our property as citizens, as human beings, and as parents and children.
We are the final generation that can resolve this, so now is the time. Will you take the lead and join us? We can accomplish this if we all work together. Simply stop the oil.
The group has recently held numerous anti-oil protests, including at gas stations along the M25 highway.
Police have already made arrests at one location on Talgarth Road in Hammersmith in an effort to empty the station.
‘We were contacted at 06:29 today to allegations of demonstrators damage pumps at a gas station in Talgarth Road, Hammersmith,’ a Metropolitan Police spokesman said.
Five people were detained on suspicion of causing criminal damage after officers responded, and this took about 10 minutes. They continue to be detained.
Tez Burns, a 34-year-old physics graduate and climate activist from Swansea who also works as a bicycle mechanic, said: “I can’t live with myself, knowing what I know, without doing all I can to block new oil and gas.”
Because of our reliance on oil, we are currently experiencing the worst cost of living crisis in 40 years and are at risk of a climate emergency.
And yet, the government does nothing to shield us from the effects of a climate collapse while enabling energy companies to push us into poverty with soaring energy costs. It’s enough already.
“We are not exceptional; rather, we are regular folks from various origins with interesting tales to tell who have conquered their fear of upsetting the peace.”
“History has shown that peaceful civil opposition is effective.” Would you also take the initiative to join us, or will you wish you had in ten years?
I cannot watch as young people, people with modest means, and those least guilty for the climate problem have their lives wrecked, said Jade Calland, 29, of Lancashire, who is also taking action today.
We’re opposing the government’s intentions to permit more oil and gas right now. We want to put an end to the suffering brought on by growing energy costs, food insecurity, inadequately insulated housing, and a society that serves the interests of the wealthy and the fossil fuel industry.
“Thousands of us will occupy Westminster starting in October until the government agrees to stop fracking for new oil and gas.” Don’t just watch; take action and join us. The time has come to fight against the annihilation of everything we cherish.
This week, after Just Stop Oil protesters excavated and occupied tunnels beneath the roads leading to oil depots in Essex and Warwickshire, a senior police officer called the protesters’ bluff.
After excavating two tunnels beneath the Saint Clements Way and Stoneness Road entrances to the Navigator oil port in Essex, they issued a warning that the move to partially reopen the roadways was risky and might “risk their collapse.”
Glen Pavelin, an assistant chief constable with the Essex Police, rejected the notion, saying it was up to the protesters to exit the tunnels they had entered so as to not endanger themselves or others.
The individuals who had dug themselves inside the tunnels were welcome to emerge at any time, he said.