The climate activist group, ‘Just Stop Oil’, faced public backlash from East Londoners and social media users after taking their protest to new heights earlier this month.
Two members scaled to the top of the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge in Dartford and hung in hammocks for 36 hours. The bridge had to be closed until both protestors came down, stopping vehicles from crossing the bridge.
Enraged by the disruption, some locals shot fireworks towards the protestors as they hung from the bridge.
Other members of the public took to Twitter to express their anger. Some people raised concerns about the climate change movement causing damage to the economy.
One Twitter user said, “What they have done here is affect jobs, livelihoods, the ability of carers, support staff & others to do their jobs. They have cost the economy millions of pounds & will risk responders’ lives.”
Just Stop Oil, demands the UK government ‘to stop the law on oil and gas licence’. They have gained significant media attention through their controversial modes of protest, including blocking roads and throwing soup on Van Goghs ‘Sunflowers’ painting.
Despite public backlash against their recent action in Dartford, the group appeared unphased, celebrating the achievement of blocking oil supplies to Kent and the southeast for 36 hours on the official Just Stop Oil Twitter account.
The account released a statement saying, “We will not be intimidated by changes to the law, we will not be stopped by private injunction sought to silence peaceful people.
“We understand that these are irrelevant when set against the collapse of society as we know it”.
They warned the public to “buckle up” for more protests and demonstrations until the government listens and implements stricter sanctions and regulations on the oil industry. The climate change activist group encourages more people to join their movements and protests.
