Just Stop Oil Take Over A24 Near Clapham in Fiery Climate Protest
At 8:15am, around 20 Just Stop Oil activists in hi-vis vests stormed the A24 near Clapham South. They marched slowly north along Clapham High Street, flanked by seven police officers. The protest continued with further actions in Camden Town.
Protestors Slam Government’s ‘Fossil Fuel Hypocrisy’
Adam Beard, 53, a gardener and carer from Stroud, blasted the government’s fossil fuel plans, saying:
“I’m taking action to highlight our government’s total disregard for human life and suffering in the pursuit of short-term profit. They’ve approved new fossil fuel licences and a new coal mine producing the dirtiest fuel, mostly for export. This shows the huge gap between what ministers say and what they do. They must stop all new licences. We’ll keep disrupting until they do right by humanity.”
Elvy Swan, 21, from Melbourne, Australia, added:
“As young people, we face a catastrophe beyond belief. People are already dying — people who could have been saved. We don’t have time to argue over details. We must end new oil and gas now.”
Just Stop Oil Warns Government’s Coal Plans Are ‘Deadly’
A Just Stop Oil spokesperson slammed the government:
“Greenlighting a new coal mine shows the Government doesn’t care about people or democracy. Their backing of fossil fuels is a plan to destroy freedoms, rights, and the rule of law. It will cause millions of deaths and force countless families from their homes. Most people in this country support our call: no new fossil fuels.
“The Government is silencing dissent — locking up peaceful protesters, pushing harsh new laws, and stripping away your right to walk on public highways. You can’t cheer dissent abroad while cracking down at home. Join us now. The time to stand by is over — resist or lose everything.”
Government Plans Crackdown on Protests Before Christmas
The government is rushing new legislation before Christmas to “close loopholes” that have allowed Just Stop Oil to block roads. Critics say this confirms the Government only tolerates quiet protests no one notices.
The draconian Public Order Bill faces final committee stages in the House of Lords this week. It has drawn sharp criticism from peers and civil rights groups alike.
Legal Wins Boost Climate Campaigners’ Morale
Just Stop Oil’s latest actions follow a recent court win for fellow climate group Insulate Britain. Last week, a jury at Southwark Crown Court found three Insulate Britain members not guilty of public nuisance after blocking roads in 2021.
Another Insulate Britain trial begins today at Inner london/" title="London">London Crown Court. Meanwhile, Just Stop Oil protesters arrested during November’s M25 blockade face ongoing hearings.
Tens of Thousands Arrested, Campaigners Remain Defiant
- Since April 1st, Just Stop Oil protests have led to over 2,000 arrests.
- More than 700 arrests took place during six weeks of October-November disruption.
- Currently, 24 campaigners remain behind bars.
Just Stop Oil vows to keep peacefully resisting the government’s plan to approve over 100 new oil and gas projects by 2025. They accuse ministers of ignoring soaring energy bills and pushing policies that “cause millions of deaths and threaten democracy itself.”
