Eight Just Stop Oil supporters imprisoned as the ‘Oil Kills’ international uprising to end fossil fuels continues

Eight Just Stop Oil supporters have been remanded to prison as the UK has joined other countries as part of Oil Kills- the international uprising, demanding the UK government commit to an emergency treaty to end the extraction and burning of fossil fuels by 2030. [1]

On Tuesday, seven Just Stop Oil supporters Sean O’Callaghan (29), Rory Wilson (26), Adam Beard (55), Sally Davidson (36), Luke Elson (31), Luke Watson (34) and Hannah Schafer (60) were arrested at the perimeter fence of Heathrow Airport. A further three, Rosa Hicks (28), Julia Mercer (74) William Goldring (27) were arrested at various locations in connection with the incident. [2]

Today, all ten appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. Julia Mercer and William Goldring have been granted bail. All others have been imprisoned without trial. 

One of those imprisoned today is Luke Elson, a support worker from London who said:

“I am a desperate uncle who is trying to safeguard my girls’ futures because what’s in store terrifies me. And whilst I say this, there are already countless people in the global South who are mourning the deaths of family members. Loved ones who have been lost because of famine, drought and extreme heat. People are suffering now and millions more people will suffer soon. I must do everything I can to prevent that.”

In the past 48 hours, 13 groups across 10 countries have so far participated in Oil Kills, the international uprising to end fossil fuels. They are Letzte Generation in Germany, Folk Mot Fossilmakta in Norway, XR Finland, Futuro Vegetal in Spain, Just Stop Oil in the UK, Drop Fossil Subsidies and Act Now – Liberate in Switzerland, Letzte Generation Austria, Extinction Rebellion and Scientists Rebellion, Sweden and Last Generation Canada, XR Boston and Scientist Rebellion Turtle Island, USA. [3]

Around 37 people have been arrested around the world, all of whom have now been released, apart from the eight imprisoned today in the UK. 

The eight imprisoned today join Amy Pritchard who was sentenced in June to ten months in prison for breaking a window belonging to the world’s largest fossil fuel funder, JP Morgan. They also join the ‘Whole Truth Five’, Roger Hallam, Daniel Shaw, Lucia Whittaker De Abreu, Louise Lancaster, and Cressida Gethin, who have been sentenced to 4-5 years behind bars- the longest ever sentences for peaceful direct action in UK history. [4]

The Oil Kills international uprising comes as it was announced on Wednesday that the record for the world’s hottest day has been broken twice in one week. On Monday, the global average surface air temperature reached 17.15C, breaking the record of 17.09C set on Sunday. This beats the record set in July 2023, and it could be broken again this week. [5]

As long as political leaders fail to take swift and decisive action to protect our communities from the worst effects of climate breakdown, Just Stop Oil supporters, working with other groups internationally, will take the proportionate action necessary to generate much needed political pressure. This summer, areas of key importance to the fossil fuel economy will be declared sites of civil resistance around the world. Are you in? Sign up to take action at juststopoil.org.

ENDS

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Notes to editors:

[1] Just Stop Oil is a member of the A22 Network of civil resistance projects.

Critical seed funding for Just Stop Oil was provided by Climate Emergency Fund and Adam McKay in 2022 and 2023. Just Stop Oil is now largely backed by small donations from the public, although the Climate Emergency Fund continues to contribute.

Just Stop Oil ‘Blue Lights’ policy: our policy is, and has always been, to move out of the way for emergency vehicles with siren sounding and ‘blue lights’ on. 

We take all possible steps to ensure that no-one’s safety is compromised by our actions.

Our Demand: An end to oil, gas and coal by 2030.

Our governments must work together to establish a legally binding treaty to stop extracting and burning oil, gas and coal by 2030 as well as supporting and financing poorer countries to make a fast, fair, and just transition.

This can be accomplished by endorsing the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative and seeking a negotiating mandate to establish the treaty.

[2] https://juststopoil.org/2024/07/24/just-stop-oil-supporters-arrested-as-international-uprising-begins/

[3] https://oilkills.org/2024/07/25/global-airport-disruption-resumes-in-the-second-day-of-action-from-oil-kills-the-international-uprising-to-end-fossil-fuels/

[4] https://juststopoil.org/2024/07/18/whole-truth-five-sentenced-to-4-5-years-at-southwark-crown-court/

[5] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crg7pen1xj7o