Environmental protesters stopped a baby getting to hospital yesterday as they blocked a major junction in London – as Insulate Britain today emerged from their hibernation to strike with new disruption.
Just Stop Oil activists took to Knightsbridge to block a fire engine responding in an emergency. An ambulance was forced to reverse the route and seek another way.
The campaigners were confronted by frustrated motorists, and one of them said: “I am trying to bring a baby into a hospital.”
It was the 11th consecutive day of demonstrations when it happened and today – the 12th day – saw another group of protesters re-enter the fray after months away.
Insulate Britain, who created chaos last year for motorists, blocked the route from Westminster after they appeared to disrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss’s visit to Parliament.
Earlier Just Stop Oil sprawled themselves out at the rear of No 10 to hold up their banners which bore the name of their movement.
The protestor was able to maneuver nimbly on a van of police officers, with scores of officers failing to stop him.
He displayed his banner and explained his demonstration as they stood still.
However, Sir Mark Rowley of the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee stated that police officers need to wait for protests to reach a certain legal threshold to prevent them from being shut down.
To assess the extent of the disruption, his officers keep in contact with Transport for London and local councils several times per day.
Sir Mark commented: “Over these 11 days, all of that partners have been of the opinion that it doesn’t cause serious disruption.”
He continued: “As soon we have proof of this serious disruption being crossed as an a line or with a good chance of it being crossed,” we will be more assertive in our power.
An activist watches as Insulate Britain activists block the street outside of the Houses of Parliament in a London protest
Insulate Britain has emerged from hibernation and struck the capital with an unanticipated demonstration today
Just Stop Oil Groups asked for people to sign up and protest against the oil industry every day of October as part of their massive campaign
They sat at No. 10 and raised their banners that bore their name.
TODAY — Today’s protestors at Just Stop Oil are confronted by a man on the Knightsbridge road.
Knightsbridge’s exclusive Just Stop Oil group causes an engine responding to an emergency that is being run by a fire engine to be stopped
This morning, major traffic chaos caused by the presence of Just Stop Oil protesters in Knightsbridge, a man dragged a Just Stop Oil demonstrator from the street.
Officers speak with Just Stop Oil protesters during a blockade of a Knightsbridge road in West London.
In the midst of major traffic chaos, a man pulls a Just Stop Oil protester off the Knightsbridge road this morning.
The ambulance must reverse to locate another route for the group as they travel to London this morning.
Officers remove a Just Stop Oil protester from Knightsbridge, West London.
A stuck Westminster City Council binman shouted today: ‘F***ing idiots, you just sit there like a bunch of lemons’
Motorists arguing with Just Stop Oil protesters today at a key junction in Knightsbridge, West London
Officers remove a Just Stop Oil protester from Knightsbridge, West London.
Just Stop Oil demonstrators blockade a Knightsbridge road and take to London’s streets this morning
Officers speak with a Just Stop Oil demonstrator today at Knightsbridge, West London.
Just Stop Oil protesters blockade London road in Knightsbridge exclusive this morning
Officers remove a Just Stop Oil protester from Knightsbridge, West London.
Yesterday, in Knightsbridge, the activist woman said that they have eight years worth of oil reserves already. She didn’t think we needed more and did not need to be taken more. However, the man stated that it was impossible to do it and said it wouldn’t take long.
After police had arrived on the scene, a police liaison officer told the group: ‘Are you intending to stay here until you get removed by officers and arrested?’ The woman answered, “Yes,” or they can stop the new oil licenses.
As calmly as possible, the police officer continued to say: “I cannot do anything about it. But what can I ask of you is that you move off the road to protest at a safer location. Does anyone want to do this?
As he approached her about protesters sitting in the street, one man recorded another officer. He said to her: “I don’t like you shouting at my right now.” The officer replied, “I am not screaming, but we are not going to do this, my love. Please, take care of your business. Officer replied that they were, and are here.
This intersection is the main interchange point for traffic coming into and out of Central London. It’s located near the Harrods departmental store, Knightsbridge Underground station (and Hyde Park).
While the van driver’s identity remains unknown, his vehicle displayed Archers branding. Archers is an Isleworth-based design and manufacturing center for signage. MailOnline reached out to the company in an attempt to get their comment.
A total of 337 Just Stop Oil protestors were arrested in the eleven days leading up to today. The group also claimed that there have been over 1,500 arrests since April 1st.
Number 10, after ambulances and fire trucks struggled to pass, stated that any disruption of the emergency service’s work was ‘unacceptable. According to the official spokesperson for Prime Minister, Number 10, protests which cause disruptions in people’s daily lives or that can hinder our emergency services’ ability to save lives are unacceptable.
“That is why we have already strengthened powers for police and given them new powers of action. We are now taking additional powers through the House to make sure they can prevent these people from disrupting lives.
When asked about his opinion on the PM intervening in the dragging of protesters from roads, he said: “We understand that the frustrations felt by the public when their lives were disrupted this way.” However, it’s up to police to immediately respond to protests of this nature and to any disruption. We’d like to recommend that they do so.
Just Stop Oil, which usually allows emergency services through, tweeted the video. It showed protesters getting out in the way of fire engines and said that they had ‘paused the roadblock’ for them.
According to a London Fire Brigade spokesperson, crews are on the way to a Fitzrovia automatic fire alarm. The scene was attended by five fire engines, one of which arrived from Soho Fire Station. There was no fire found when firefighters investigated.
The Kensington Fire Station dispatcher called to report that an appliance was delayed by a traffic jam and reached the scene within fourteen minutes. To minimize the impact of road closures on our services, we work closely with emergency service partners and our local authority. Crews were not notified of the roadblock before the event, however.
Just Stop Oil issued a press release this morning about the actions. It quoted Holly Exley (34), a Bristol-based freelance illustrator who stated: “The truth is that we cannot have any new oil or gas if our futures are secure. But the UK government would like to take and sell every drop from the North Sea.
“Their plans will cause climate collapse, mass suffering, and death to be inevitable. Unless good people stand up and resist. Right now, a small but determined group is making enormous sacrifices and risking their safety and liberty in order to stop new oil or gas. Everyone needs to take a stand and choose a side.
Naomi Goddard, age 58, is a Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire parish clerk. She said, “I work in an conservative, law-abiding career so it was difficult to make the decision that Just Stop Oil should be taken directly.”
“While we know that there is less time than three years for climate change to be avoided, our government is not taking action. Liz Truss has announced plans to give over 100 more fossil fuel licences to the country instead of encouraging green energy.
“I couldn’t shut my eyes against the events unfolding. While I am aware that this could lead to me losing my freedom and my job, as well as my friendships, I feel that it is the right thing for me to take action.
Graham Lowe, age 68, is an artist and Lancaster tutor of art. He said that it was impossible to resist this government’s putting profits before the people.
“After an unprecedented summer of drought and record heat, millions were left homeless in Pakistan by the floods. We must stand up against the government and refuse to use fossil fuels. Complacency is the greatest threat to billions of people’s wellbeing.
Kathy Dolan (48), a Trafford councillor from Greater Manchester said that she couldn’t watch as the government chose to destroy our future and for the benefit of those in need, her present. The time is running out. It’s too late.
Spokesman for Just Stop Oil stated today that it was not just a temporary event. This is resistance against criminal governments and their genocidal project.
“Our supporters will return today, tomorrow, and the day after that. And the day after that. There is no more oil or gas in the UK.
“We will not allow changes to the law to intimidate us, and we won’t stop private injunctions that seek to silence peaceful citizens. These are not relevant when they are against mass starvation and slaughter as well as the loss of rights, freedoms, communities, and other violations.
The arrest comes shortly after approximately 25 activists were taken into police custody following the blockade on The Mall, outside Buckingham Palace. The disturbance lasted just over two hours and was eventually ended.
TODAY — Today, an angry man pulls a Just Stop Oil demonstrator from Knightsbridge’s main road. This is amid severe traffic chaos
Officers remove a Just Stop Oil protester from Knightsbridge, West London.
One man protests against Just Stop Oil demonstrators on the roadway at Knightsbridge’s major intersection this morning
As protesters block the road to Knightsbridge, West London today, a man tears apart a Just Stop Oil sign
Officers remove a Just Stop Oil protester from Knightsbridge, West London.
Today, Just Stop Oil demonstrators gathered at the intersection of Knightsbridge Road and Brompton Street in West London.
Officers remove a Just Stop Oil protester from Knightsbridge, West London.
Just Stop Oil protesters block the exclusive Knightsbridge Road in London, this morning.
Just Stop Oil demonstrators blockade a Knightsbridge road and take to London’s streets this morning
As protestors block the road to Knightsbridge, West London, today’s man tears a Just Stop Oil sign away
Officers speak with Just Stop Oil protestors as they blockade a Knightsbridge road in West London.
Today, a Just Stop Oil demonstrator was taken away by police officers in West London’s Knightsbridge.
Officers remove a Just Stop Oil protester from Knightsbridge, West London.
Just Stop Oil protesters were joined by police officers in Knightsbridge this morning.
Today, a man tore a Just Stop Oil banner from the hands of protesters who blocked a Knightsbridge road.
As Just Stop Oil protestors block the road at Knightsbridge, West London, police officers spoke to them.
Just Stop Oil demonstrators blockade a Knightsbridge road and take to London’s streets this morning
Specialized removal teams are removing Just Stop Oil protesters today from Knightsbridge.
As Just Stop Oil protesters block the road at Knightsbridge, West London, police officers spoke to them.
Just Stop Oil protesters blockaded a Knightsbridge Road in London, this morning.
Officers remove a Just Stop Oil protester from Knightsbridge, West London.
Just Stop Oil demonstrators blockade a Knightsbridge road and take to London’s streets this morning
As protesters block the road to Knightsbridge, West London today, a man tears apart a Just Stop Oil sign
Just Stop Oil demonstrators blockade a Knightsbridge road and take to London’s streets this morning
Officers remove a Just Stop Oil protester from Knightsbridge, West London.
TODAY — This morning, a man pulled a Just Stop Oil protester off the Knightsbridge road amid massive traffic chaos
TODAY — A group of Just Stop Oil protestors blockade a Knightsbridge road in West London. Today’s police officer watches over them.
Just Stop Oil demonstrators blockade a Knightsbridge road and take to London’s streets this morning
As protesters block the road to Knightsbridge, West London today, a man tears apart a Just Stop Oil sign
Today, a man tore a Just Stop Oil banner from the hands of protestors as they blocked a Knightsbridge road in West London.
Another eight demonstrators were detained yesterday after staging sit-down protests near Downing Street.
Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said that 33 of them were being arrested for willful obstruction of highway. They have since been transferred to several custody suites, where they currently remain.
After protestors from Scotland gathered at the royal residence to voice their discontent, the UK Government supported the expansion of North Sea oil and gas operations last month.
North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA), is scheduled to begin a new round in oil and gas licensing. However, yesterday’s protestors described it as ‘a death sentence’ for everyone.
YESTERDAY — A campaigner was removed from the Just Stop Oil demonstration on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace by police officers
OCTOBER 9, 2009 — A demonstration took place at Piccadilly Circus, London.
OCTOBER 8, 2008 — Police remove a man from Green Park during the Just Stop Oil demonstration
OCTOBER 7 — Vauxhall Bridge Road was blocked by Just Stop Oil activists in Central London last Wednesday
OCT 6 — Just Stop Oil demonstrators at Trafalgar Square London, as they continue their protests
OCTOBER 5, 2009 — Just Stop Oil protesters are stopped from blocking a road that leads into Westminster.
OCTOBER 4 — Just Stop Oil Climate activists block Parliament Square’s roads
3 October — The police try to remove Just Stop Oil protestors from Trafalgar Square
OCTOBER 2, 2012 — Protesters block Waterloo Bridge at London’s Waterloo Bridge.
1. OCTOBER — Protesters occupy Parliament Square while Just Stop Oil continues to protest
Alister Jack, the Scottish Secretary, stated that more than 100 licenses could be granted. He claimed this could help’safeguard’ UK’s energy supply and create more than 70k jobs in Scotland.
The Government spokeswoman said that they are fully committed to net zero by 2050. However, Britain is moving ahead of other countries when it comes to net zero. With 40% of the power coming from cleaner and less expensive renewable sources, this country has 40 percent of its energy.
“But as Russia is threatening Europe’s energy security, we have to ensure that our energy security is protected by stimulating domestic energy production and reducing dependence on foreign imports.
“This will include increasing domestic gas supply. We’ve been very clear that this will be a key part of our transition to net zero. However, we’ll continue to promote our commitments in nuclear and other renewables such as offshore winds.