Just Stop Oil activists caused havoc at two British oil plants this morning. They held sit-down protests and climbed onto tankers to block traffic, dug tunnels and blocked access.
Grays, Essex saw 30 people protesting. At least 10 were seated on the road near the M25, which is the main route for Navigator tankers to the Navigator terminal. Another group was occupying the Grays oil terminal.
A further 20 activists attempted to block access to Kingsbury Oil Terminal from Warwickshire. After traffic was stopped by roadblocks, two of the activists climbed onto a tanker.
Just Stop Oil also stated that five individuals were using two tunnels under St Clements Way in Grays and London Road, respectively, while four others were using two additional tunnels near Kingsbury Terminal.
Ten protesters also took refuge on St Clements Way. This is the road that runs along the M25, next to Kent’s Dartford Crossing. Twelve Essex Police officers were there in minutes. Twenty protesters were then arrested.
The Grays demonstrators today included retired vicars Mark Coleman of Rochdale and Sue Parfitt of Bristol. These two have been regulars in environmental protests throughout England in recent decades.
One Smart car driver could be seen getting up from his vehicle and talking to protesters. They also had their bicycles on the street. Then, he climbed the pavement to move past them in the early morning rush-hour.
Six weeks prior to the start of Just Stop Oil’s plan to blockade Parliament during weeks of a war on proposals to increase North Sea oil production, this demonstration will occur. Protests against Just Stop Oil are scheduled to begin October 1.
As Just Stop Oil demonstrators staged a protest on St Clements Way in Grays, Essex today, police officers spoke to them
Troops arrest a Just Stop Oil protester who was demonstrating on St Clements Way, Grays.
Two tunnels were dug in Warwickshire near Kingsbury Oil Terminal. This morning, four people have taken over the two tunnels
After traffic was stopped at Kingsbury’s oil terminal, two protestors climbed onto a tanker.
Catherine Rennie Nash, 72, is a retired teacher in Kendal (Cumbbria), who joined the protestors today. She said that she was astonished at government plans to permit more oil-and gas projects in the UK.
“I can’t choose but to participate in civil resistance. It is important to realize that our government doesn’t protect us. The cost of living crisis can be a choice. Sky-high fuel costs are a choice. New oil and gas can also be a decision. The government is permitting companies to take our wealth and ruin our future. They are criminals.
Sam Holland (20), a Leeds student who took part in Grays’ action today said that consenting to additional fossil fuels was consenting to the fall of our food system.
It is consenting for the fall of societies and the death of many millions. This is a crime against humanity, and those at the top of power will face justice.
Police remove Just Stop Oil demonstrators from a protest near the M25 at Grays, Essex today
Just Stop Oil demonstrators staged a protest on St Clements Way, next to Grays’ M25 in Essex today
Sue Parfitt, a retired vicar is one of the Just Stop Oil protesters who demonstrated at Grays in Essex today.
To pass the Just Stop Oil demonstrators at Grays, Essex today, a motorist climbs onto the sidewalk
Jeannie Donald McKim (58), a Witney teacher, joined the protest near Kingsbury today. She said that “our addiction to oil fuels climate collapse and causes the worst cost-of-living crisis in forty years.”
‘People are getting desperate. It is too late to speak. It is now time to act. All of us should get involved. Now is the time to unite and resist. It is possible.
Anna Holland (a Newcastle University student) said, “If you’re still debating about whether to become involved in action against government and oil industry, think: Is this what my whole life should look like?”
Do I really want 2020 to be the greatest year? We face this reality if we do not take immediate action to make changes.
Just Stop Oil demonstrators staged a protest on St Clements Way, next to Grays’ M25 in Essex today
Mark Coleman, an ex-vicar of Essex, is one of the Just Stop Oil demonstrators who are also at Grays this morning.
Just Stop Oil demonstrators staged a protest on St Clements Way, next to Grays’ M25 in Essex today
A spokesperson for the Essex Police said that 20 individuals were arrested by officers after disruption reports at Thurrock’s three main locations this morning.
“We received reports about people disrupting St Clements Way and Chafford Hundred railway stations, as well as an industrial site at Askew Farm Lane, from shortly after 6 a.m.
‘So far 18 people have been arrested – 10 at the site in St Clements Way and eight at Chafford Hundred railway station.
“At Askew Farm Lane,” we respond to calls from people who claim to be at the top of their lungs. This may necessitate specialist equipment in order to get them safely down. Two persons were arrested.
Stuart Austin, Inspector of Essex Police said that they are trying to solve these problems as fast and safely as possible for everyone involved. These incidents are covered in our plans and we have made 18 arrests.
Just Stop Oil demonstrators staged a protest on St Clements Way, next to Grays’ M25 in Essex today
Just Stop Oil demonstrators staged a protest on St Clements Way, next to Grays’ M25 in Essex today
One motorist holds onto the pavement in order to pass Just Stop Oil protesters at Grays in Essex.
Just Stop Oil demonstrators staged a protest on St Clements Way, next to Grays’ M25 in Essex today
“We want to keep the county running smoothly and make sure you are safe. The road disruptions are currently very minimal. I would like to express my gratitude for the patience of local drivers, workers and businesses.
“It is important to clarify that policing does not promote anti-protest, but it is necessary to intervene where there are risks to lives or laws being violated.
Just Stop Oil claims its protests from October will be more extensive than previous Extinction Rebellion disruption and could result in Britain’s biggest ever campaign of civil disobedience.
These demonstrations will challenge the Government’s plans to let energy giants like BP or Shell increase exploration and production in the North Sea.
Just Stop Oil is a group of people who want to stop the Government from giving out new licenses to explore, develop and produce fossil fuels. Already, it has held protests at major refineries and on the motorways.
Around 20 people blocked the main roads leading to Kingsbury’s oil terminal in Warwickshire today.
After traffic was stopped at Kingsbury’s oil terminal, two protestors climbed onto a tanker.
After traffic was stopped at Kingsbury’s oil terminal, two protestors climbed onto a tanker.
Around 20 people blocked the main roads leading to Kingsbury’s oil terminal in Warwickshire today.
These tactics are very similar to the Extinction Rebellion or Insulate Britain’s, where members glue themselves to cars and roads to cause chaos.
It comes as energy bosses this week called for the £1,700 increase in annual bills to be scrapped – amid warnings that inflation will hit a staggering 18 per cent.
Industry leaders also called for bailouts as they claimed that if the price of beer had risen at the same rate as wholesale gas, a pint would cost £25.
Soaring inflation is being driven by the fact that household energy costs are set to rise from £15billion in a normal year to £75billion, said Octopus Energy.
Now, bosses claim that the crisis has reached such an extreme level that they require the same emergency response as was required during the pandemic. This included a huge bailout to help struggling families.