Two Just Stop Oil supporters have poured orange liquid latex over an Optimus robot at the Westfield Tesla store in London today. They are demanding the UK government phase out fossil fuel burning by 2030. [1]
At around 10:15am, the pair climbed onto a podium display and poured the liquid latex over the life sized humanoid robot. They unfurled a Just Stop Oil banner and spoke:
“Shut down the fascists! The government is failing to protect our democracy from fossil fuel companies and power hungry billionaires. I will not stand by and let the climate crisis cause global food destruction, mass starvation and the collapse of civil society. Shut down the fascists.
“While the rich dream of Nazi robots and swasti-cars, what the the rest of us need is warm housing, clean affordable energy and cheap public transport. Don’t let billionaires decide your future. Lets reclaim democracy. Join us this Spring in Parliament Square as we demand an emergency plan to Just Stop Oil by 2030. Shut down the fascists!”
One of those taking action this morning is Catherine Rennie Nash, 74, a grandmother and retired teacher from Cumbria. She said:
“Billionaire Elon Musk likes to punch down. Instead of using his wealth to help solve the climate crisis, reduce world hunger or find a cure for cancer, he is throwing hundreds of thousands of people out of work, jeopardising climate science and denying healthcare to vulnerable people. He thinks empathy is a weakness and uses his social media platform to amplify climate denial, extreme prejudice and hate. He and his billionaire pals are looking to destroy democracy and he is bringing this to the UK. If you want to fight it you better learn how to resist. Sign up for action.”
Also taking action was Nigel Fleming, 63, a grandfather and retired tax adviser from London. He said:
“Even the actuaries are saying that immediate action is required to mitigate the risks of catastrophic climate impacts occuring well before 2050. We’re talking crop failure and starvation driving mass migration and civil unrest, the loss of whole nations beneath the waves, our homes, livelihoods and pensions at risk. We don’t have time to mess around with denial and delay. We need an emergency plan to get the economy off oil and gas by 2030. So frankly, fuck Musk. Join us in Parliament Square from April to demand that Kier Starmer gets on with the job.”
Today’s action comes following news that President Trump has urged US consumers to buy Tesla cars, after hearing that Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, and Trump’s right hand man, has seen the value of his shareholdings in Tesla plummet. Consumers reacted with revulsion to Musk’s nazi salute at Trump’s inauguration rally in January and Tesla sales have fallen dramatically, spurred on by a series of protests and consumer boycotts.[2][3]
Activists have targeted Tesla facilities in the US, Germany, France, Portugal and the UK in recent days. While most protests have been non-disruptive a few have involved extensive damage including fires intentionally set at Tesla factories, showrooms and charging stations in France and the US. [4]
Meanwhile a broader boycott of US goods is also in full swing as Canadians and Europeans react to Trump’s trade policies, authoritarian measures and treatment of Ukrainian President Zelensky at the White House last month. [5]
In 2024 Just Stop Oil successfully won its original demand of ‘no new oil and gas’. But we all know that it’s not enough. We need to end all fossil fuels completely to have any hope of heading off the horror that our heating world will bring. With fascist and authoritarian forces on the rise everywhere, our democracy is under threat. Starting in April, Just Stop Oil will once again be taking action to demand an end to the extraction and burning of oil, gas and coal by 2030. You can help make this happen by coming to a talk and signing up for action at juststopoil.org/spring-2025.
ENDS
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Notes to Editors
[1] Just Stop Oil is committed to nonviolent direct action to resist the destruction of our communities as a result of climate breakdown. We do not consent to plans that will result in 3C of warming and mass death.
We demand an emergency plan to Just Stop Oil by 2030. Our government must work with others to end the extraction and burning of all oil, gas and coal by 2030.
Just Stop Oil is a member of the A22 Network of civil resistance projects.
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.
[3] https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jan/20/trump-elon-musk-salute
[4] Global protests against Musk:
US: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cnvze9dzq8vo
UK: https://www.thecanary.co/uk/news/2025/03/03/elon-musk-tesla-london-protest/
UK: https://www.euronews.com/culture/2025/02/27/dont-buy-a-swasticar-anti-elon-musk-tesla-advert-goes-viral
Germany: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cv2j0v237vko
France: https://electrek.co/2025/03/03/a-dozen-tesla-cars-burned-at-store-arson-is-suspected-amid-global-protests/
Portugal: https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/dozens-protest-tesla-showroom-portugal-ahead-likely-snap-election-2025-03-09/
