Insulate Britain returned to London’s streets during rush hour today with at most two blockades – one on the A40 in West London, and one on a Dartford roundabout, Kent.
They had previously urged motorists not to use M25 today, threatening to cause chaos on the motorway with a series roadblockades.
They also requested police to not arrest them and warned that their ‘nonviolent civil resistance’ would resume on the road at 7am today.
Insulate Britain said that motorists should still use the M25 today, but their speed should be reduced to 20 mph to minimize the risk of accidents.
It comes after London-based activists were effectively removed from all major roads in England on Monday, following a landmark High Court decision.
The protesters have brought chaos to motorways and A roads over the last six weeks with hundreds of arrests made – but the Metropolitan Police has still charged no one.
Today’s action follows Monday’s London blockade by eco-zealots. Many of them glued their faces, hands, and feet to the roads.
Traffic chaos today caused by Insulate Britain activists on the A40 in North Acton West London
Yesterday, an Insulate Britain spokesperson stated that: “In light of a national order covering England’s highways,” Insulate Britain declared the M25 as a site for nonviolent civil resistance. Insulate Britain also called for the slowing of motorway traffic.
“You can’t imprison floods, there aren’t unlimited fines for a famine, and you can’t bankrupt fires. The lives of ordinary British citizens can be imprisoned, but so can the lives of future generations.
‘By refusing insulation in Britain’s homes our government is also condemning thousands through fuel poverty this winter, while countless others will once more be cold and hungry.
“We don’t need endless injunctions. We don’t care about our fears. We are concerned about fulfilling our responsibilities and duties at this ‘period de consequence’.
The group stated that the M25 would ‘become an area of nonviolent civil resistance in order to stop our government from committing crimes against mankind’ starting at 7 am today.
The Insulate Britain spokesperson continued: “This government, our government is actively pursuing policies which will lead to destruction of our country because of climate catastrophe.”
“In a free society citizens have the right to and a duty of rebellion against plans that will knowingly lead to the death of millions.
“Insulate Britain” recognizes the inconvenience and irritation caused by our campaign. We ask that you understand that disruptions are necessary to force a government into its most basic duties to protect and defend its citizens.
“Insulate Britain considers UK Government to be in treasonous and betraying this country.”
The group has set out three demands – the first being that people ‘do not use the M25, or if they do, speeds are reduced to 20 mph to minimise the risk of accidents’.
Monday’s chaos in London was caused by Insulate Britain activists. They brought traffic to a halt on Bishopsgate near Liverpool Street station.
Insulate Britain protestors blocked a road near Canary Wharf, East London, on Monday
Climate activists from Insulate Britain were pulled away from Southwark Bridge on Monday
The second is that National Highways acts on its responsibility to keep the public safety by enforcing these speed limits’.
The third is that the police refuse to arrest us because we are upholding British constitution. They have a duty not to obey any government that fails its first and most important responsibility, which is the protection of British citizens.
The group also stressed that: “We will ensure that emergency access to ‘blue light” is maintained.”
Yesterday, Insulate Britain activists were effectively expelled from all major roads in England following a major High Court decision.
Judges approved the injunction against protesting on 4,300-miles of motorways and major A/roads, also known by the Strategic Road Network.
It is a violation that can result in unlimited fines and jail time for contempt of court.
Original thought was that the application by National Highways, the country’s roads agency, would not be granted because it is so broad and unprecedented.
It happened as Insulate Britain brought central London into a standstill on Monday, blocking hundreds more motorists, including one who drove his father to the hospital for treatment of cancer.
Grant Shapps, Transport Secretary confirmed Monday night that an expanded injunction had been granted.
He tweeted: ‘Insulate Britain are back, risking lives & ruining journeys. Three specific injunctions have been in place. Today, I instructed @NationalHways that an injunction be applied for covering the entire strategic road network. This was granted by the High Court on a temporary basis.
‘The long term solution lies in changes to the Police, Crime, Sentencing & Courts Bill, giving additional powers against disruptive protests which target critical national infrastructure.
‘This includes unlimited fines & prison sentences of up to 6 months for obstructing highways.’ The new injunction will remain in place until Thursday. If it is extended, another High Court hearing may take place.
The original injunctions applied only to the M25, feeder routes onto the M25 and Port of Dover.
Since September 13, members of the Extinction Rebellion have repeatedly blocked major roads including the M25/M4.
Transport for London also has an Injunction that effectively bans protests.
Nine activists were alleged to have broken the original National Highways Injunction. A hearing will be held at the Royal Courts of Justice in November 16.
Metropolitan Police reported Monday’s protests saw 53 people arrested for blocking four busy streets in central and eastern London during the morning rush hour.
The blockades, which were the first since a temporary pause of ten days by the group, triggered fury from Londoners. Many were filmed trying to drag eco-warriors off of the carriageway.
One heated exchange saw a man say he was trying get his father admitted to hospital for treatment of cancer.
On Monday, police officers removed a climate activist from a road near Southwark Bridge.
He said, “Do you know what it’s really like to be trying to get cancer treatment and you’re standing there like this?” People are trying to get to the hospital, of all places.
Now eco mob scales the HOME OFFICE: Animal rights protestors climb up government building in London, where Defra is also based, demanding a switch to plant-based diets before COP26
Animal rights activists scaled the Defra and Home Office building in London yesterday as they demanded ‘government support for a plant-based food system’ at Cop26.
Animal Rebellion activists climbed up Marsham Street in Westminster at 6am. This structure houses both the Animal Rebellion and Animal Rebellion departments.
Yesterday, Animal Rebellion activists hung a banner at London’s Home Office.
The group, which is affiliated with Extinction rebellion, organized the protest in advance of the United Nations climate summit in Glasgow, which starts this Sunday.
Animal Rebellion, which was formed in July 2019, stated that it would continue to take action up until the Government defunds meat and subsidies a plant-based transformation’.
Police, firefighters and paramedics were all at the scene, and the protesters – who were all wearing climbing equipment – then dropped a banner over the entrance.
Protests were the first by the organisation since October 14, when they temporarily stopped activities for ten days.
Many of the activists adhered to the road surface with adhesives, and one even attached his head on the tarmac.
After a woman with her Range Rover ran into a protestor earlier in the month, police also distributed leaflets to drivers.
The message stated: ‘Dear driver. We are peaceful and nonviolent.
We are sorry that we have to delay your journey. Please keep your vehicle in your hands and don’t drive onto the hard shoulder. This area is reserved for emergency vehicles.
“The police are on the way. They will arrest us, and you will be allowed to continue your journey.
Tony Hill, a 71-year-old protestor, claimed he had traveled from near Kendal, Cumbria, to the capital to participate.
He said that he was here today out of anger and fear, determination. My Government is failing our country’s people because of my anger.
“The governments around the world are failing everyone,” Everyone claims we are at the 11th hour, but it’s midnight. And our Government and other governments around the globe are doing nothing of substance.
“We are saying to insulate as many buildings possible. It’s an easy decision. It’s something we all can do, it’s the solution.
“We have the money, all we need to make it happen is the willpower of our government. It will save money, create job opportunities, save lives, and save the earth. Why aren’t people doing it?
Midday saw the end of the protesters from Bishopsgate Street, Camomile Street, and traffic was allowed to flow again.
Despite repeated threats of imprisonment and an unlimited fine for violating various injunctions, the campaign continues.
Highways England is only currently applying for contempt court proceedings against nine protestors. A court date has yet to be set.