32 supporters of Just Stop Oil have blocked three service stations on the M25 in support of their demand that the UK government end new oil and gas projects in the UK.
Starting from 5am today, actions took place at Cobham Services in Surrey, Clacket Lane Services (East and Westbound) in Kent and Thurrock Services in Essex. At all locations, Just Stop Oil supporters blocked access to the petrol pumps by sitting in the road with banners. Some supporters also sabotaged petrol pumps by breaking the display glass, covering them with spray paint or locking on.
Adam 53, a gardener from Gloucestershire taking action today said:
“In 20 years time, when my grandchildren point out that we knew about the destruction and suffering that the climate crisis would bring, I don’t want to have to tell them that I just sat at home and worried about it. I want to be able to tell them I did what I could.
We need to take this action because the government is not doing its duty to protect us from climate catastrophe, instead continuing to allow extraction of new fossil fuels.”
Joy Corrigan 73, a grandmother of three taking action today said:
“I am sick with worry about how today’s children will survive. Everyday I see more and more examples of climate change and the frequency is accelerating. Government get your bloody finger out. We need action today not tomorrow.”
Sophie Sharples, 22, a student from Brighton taking action today said
“ It’s said that each generation must discover its mission, and fulfil it, or betray it . Ending fossil fuel consumption must be ours. We have such a short window of time to act to avoid the complete destruction of all we know and love. For all life, and for the love of humanity, I have to do everything I can, and with my privilege I am able to face arrest, so I will.”
Today’s actions will put further pressure on petrol and diesel supplies for the south-east ahead of the August Bank Holiday weekend. These were halted from the Navigator and Grays depots in Essex and the Kingsbury terminal in Warwickshire yesterday. A series of tunnels, occupied by Just Stop Oil supporters have been constructed under access roads to the depots resulting in highway closures and the disruption of supplies.
The supporters of Just Stop Oil will continue the disruption until the government makes a statement that it will end new oil and gas projects in the UK.
Tuesday’s actions resulted in 35 arrests. Nine people are due in court in Birmingham Crown Court as a result of actions which involved breaking an injunction.
Just Stop Oil continues acts of Civil Resistance in the face of government repression, while 46 new north sea oil fields are greenlighted, as the UK faces climate induced drought, record wildfires and the most extreme heat ever recorded. This climate crisis is unfolding as the worst cost of living crisis since the 1930s hits with millions being forced into destitution as oil and grain companies make record profits and famine stalks the world. Amongst all this, the English judicial system has imprisoned two peaceful 20 year olds (Louis McKechnie and Joshua Smith) who are likely to be incarcerated for months as they await a trial.
Enough is Enough, the Just Stop Oil Coalition is calling on all of those whose futures are being destroyed, who are facing poverty now, and who are outraged at yet another betrayal by the continuing dependence on oil and gas, to step up and take action. Join us on October 1st, join a zoom call www.juststopoil.org, it’s 2022 and the time to stand by has passed.
ENDS
Press contact: 07762 987334
High quality images & video here: https://juststopoil.org/press-media
Website: https://juststopoil.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JustStopOil/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/just.stopoil/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JustStop_Oil
Youtube: https://juststopoil.org/youtube :
Notes to Editors
[1] Locations:
- Clacket Lane Westbound Services: M25 between junctions 5 and 6, Clacket Lane TN16 2ER
- Cobham Services: M25 between junction 9 and 10, Cobham Surrey KT11 3DB
- Thurrock Services: M25 between Junction 30 and 31, West Thurrock, Grays, Essex RM16 3BG
- Navigator Terminals Thames, Oliver Road, West Thurrock, Grays, Essex,RM20 3ED
- Inter Terminals UK Ltd, London Rd, Grays RM17 6YU
- Kingsbury Oil Terminal, Tamworth, B78 2HA
[2] About Just Stop Oil
Just Stop Oil is a coalition of groups working together to demand that the government immediately halt all future licensing and consents for the exploration, development and production of fossil fuels in the UK.
We must urgently end our reliance on fossil fuels to avoid irreversible changes in the earth’s climate system. We cannot continue to burn fossil fuels in the belief that future developments in carbon capture and storage and other so-called “unicorn technologies” will allow us to suck vast quantities of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
The UK must begin this process immediately. It starts by calling a halt to any further fossil fuel projects on the UK Continental Shelf. That would give us eight years of fossil fuel production left in which to rapidly transition to a zero carbon economy.
Everyone knows we have to engage in massive changes. Just Stop Oil is a coalition of groups demanding the no-brainer things be done immediately – actions that will reduce the demand for fossil fuel energy dramatically such as insulating our homes, rethinking how we travel, getting on with renewable energy and making sure no-one is left behind.
We either come together as humanity or we die. Youth know which they choose. They have already chosen. They are in the streets to demand a future. We are all in the streets to make sure they get it. It’s as basic as that.
Further information about Just Stop Oil and our demands here: https://www.juststopoil.org
