Multiple arrests after defiant Just Stop Oil protesters block Knightsbridge

Met police officers arrested 28 Just Stop Oil protesters in Knightsbridge today.

All were arrested at Scotch Corner by Knightsbridge Tube Station for “wilful obstruction of the highway” and taken to a number of central London custody suites. 

Just Stop Oil supporters blocked roads, causing delays and disruption as they continue to demand that the Government halts all new oil and gas licences. 

At 10am, 32 Just Stop Oil supporters established three roadblocks in Knightsbridge and Brompton Road, stopping traffic in both directions.  

They were sitting in the road, and some glued themselves to the tarmac, making it more difficult for police officers to remove them. 

Holly Exley, 34, a freelance illustrator from Bristol, said: “The reality is that there can be no new oil and gas if we want a safe future, but the UK Government wants to extract and sell “every last drop” from the North Sea.

“Their plans will make climate breakdown, mass suffering and loss of life inevitable unless good people rise up and resist. Right now a very small group of people are making huge sacrifices, risking their well-being and their liberty to resist new oil and gas.” 

Naomi Goddard, 58, a parish clerk from Hebden Bridge, said: “PM Liz Truss is planning to grant more than 100 new fossil fuel licences rather than encouraging renewable energy.  

“I just couldn’t keep my eyes tight shut against what was happening any longer. I know that I risk losing my freedom, my job and my friends by doing this, but I also know deep in my heart that taking action at this time is absolutely the right thing to do.” 

Graham Lowe, 68, an artist and art tutor from Lancaster, said: “I have no choice but to resist. This Government is once again putting profit before people.”

Just Stop Oil said today’s actions follow 10 days of continuous disruption by supporters, in which a total of 309 arrests have been made.  

On Monday, 31 arrests were made, including 23 on The Mall after a group established a roadblock and seven outside Downing Street after they marched in the road with banners. Since the campaign began on April 1, there have been over 1,500 arrests, the group said.

Pictured top: Protesters block Knightsbridge  (Picture: Just Stop Oil Group)