The Met Police said 23 people had been arrested as sections of the M25 were closed throughout the Monday morning rush hour as part of the protest by Just Stop Oil. Essex Police said people had been arrested after reports of people climbing up an overhead gantry close to junction 30 of the M25.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said the action was “criminality”, not protest, and pledged to bring those involved to justice as quickly as possible.
“This was a very significant and co-ordinated effort to cause massive disruption to the entirety of the M25.”
Several junctions across Surrey, London and Kent were impacted, with specially trained police officers deployed. Protests were held at several locations on the M25 including: J2 (Darenth), J6-7 (Godstone), J8-9 (Reigate), J13-14 (Staines), J21a-22 (St Albans), J25 (Holmesdale tunnel) and J27 (M11).
In an emotional video posted from one of the gantries, protester Louise said she was there because she felt she did not “have a future and you may hate me for doing this, and you’re entitled to hate me, but I wish you would direct all that anger and hatred at our government”.
The 24-year-old added: “They are betraying young people like me. I wouldn’t have to be there if they did their lawful duty.
“What we’re asking for is what all the scientists are asking for, what the United Nations are asking for, the international energy, the IPCC.
“How many more people have to say we don’t have a liveable future if you continue licencing oil and gas for you to listen?”
It comes as the Met Police had launched a “significant” operation to identify and arrest the climate change protesters.
Just Stop Oil have made it very clear more protests are inevitable until the government changes its policy.
Image Source: BBC news
