Background on Just Stop Oil and its Impact
Just Stop Oil is a prominent British environmental group known for its striking actions over the past three years. The movement, co-founded by Roger Hallam, has gained both attention and criticism from British governments since 2022. Their actions, including blocking highways and pouring soup into museums, have led to over 3,300 arrests in the UK since 2022.
The Movement’s Recent Developments
In March, Just Stop Oil announced the cessation of their actions following a commitment from the Labour government to halt any new oil and gas projects in the UK. Despite this, 11 activists remain imprisoned, including co-founder Roger Hallam. Five more are set to be jailed in May.
The Final Protest
On Saturday, activists from Just Stop Oil held their final protest in London. Hundreds marched peacefully from the Parliament to Shell’s headquarters, removing their iconic fluorescent orange jackets to reveal question mark t-shirts underneath. They carried a large sign reading, “We had an impact, what have you done?”
Legal Challenges and Public Support
The protesters stopped in front of the Court of Appeals, which upheld prison sentences for ten activists in March. Among them were two who poured soup on Van Gogh’s sunflowers in a museum. Organizer Tim Crosland denounced the legal process as a “sham,” with many protesters holding photos of their jailed comrades.
Context and Future of Just Stop Oil
Mel Carrington, a spokesperson for Just Stop Oil, explained to AFP that “judicial repression makes mobilization more difficult,” and noted the changing context, such as Donald Trump’s election in the US, which has slowed climate change efforts.
Though the group will stop its actions, Just Stop Oil will continue to support imprisoned or pending-trial members, according to Carrington.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is Just Stop Oil? Just Stop Oil is a British environmental group that used dramatic actions to protest new oil and gas projects in the UK.
- Why did Just Stop Oil stop their actions? The group ceased their protests after the Labour government committed to halting new oil and gas projects in the UK.
- How many activists are currently imprisoned? Eleven activists from Just Stop Oil are currently incarcerated, including co-founder Roger Hallam.
- What is the future of Just Stop Oil? Despite stopping their actions, Just Stop Oil will continue to support imprisoned or pending-trial members.
