The eco-activist group, Just Stop Oil, is organizing a large-scale protest involving thousands of activists from across the UK to paralyze London with slow-march blockades this autumn,
according to a revelation by The Mail on Sunday.
The protesters are set to descend on the capital on October 29, aiming to bring the city streets to a standstill for three weeks. Just Stop Oil boldly claims that the police and courts will be overwhelmed if they manage to arrest over 3,000 supporters during the road-blocking demonstrations.
This latest plan follows 13 weeks of relentless slow-march protests and high-profile disruptions that took place in June and July. Videos on social media captured demonstrators clashing with frustrated drivers who were trying to reach their workplaces or take their children to school.
The activists have organized 'mass youth training' scheduled for September 1 and 2, where attendees will receive free vegan food and accommodation before being invited to a 'legendary rave'. Additionally, Just Stop Oil plans to launch a significant wave of student resistance by striking university campuses.
Sir Robert Goodwill, chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, criticized the protests, calling them counterproductive and disruptive to the daily lives of hard-working people. He suggested that if Just Stop Oil truly wants to make a difference, they should direct their protests towards the Chinese embassy since China is the largest carbon dioxide emitter globally.
The police were granted new powers in June to effectively handle the slow marches organized by Just Stop Oil. The demonstrations have already cost the Metropolitan Police more than £7.7 million and required 23,597 officer shifts.
In response to the upcoming protests, Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Matt Twist, stated that they would continue to promptly respond to any disruptions caused by the activists.
A spokesperson for Just Stop Oil justified their actions, stating that they are marching because they believe that the allocation of 100 new oil and gas licenses is an act of war against the youth and those on the front line of climate collapse, both in the UK and worldwide. They assert that they are standing up for their inalienable right to life and livelihood, which they feel is being violated. Photo by Alisdare Hickson, Wikimedia commons.