Just Stop Oil to End Direct Action Protests
The British climate group Just Stop Oil has announced that it will halt its campaign of direct action protests at the end of April. Known for its high-profile stunts, including throwing soup on Van Gogh’s "Sunflowers" and blocking roads, the group says it has achieved its core goal: influencing the Labour government to adopt a policy that halts new oil and gas projects. “Just Stop Oil's initial demand to end new oil and gas is now government policy, making us one of the most successful civil resistance campaigns in recent history,” the group said in a recent statement.
While the group celebrates its successes, it also emphasised that their fight is far from over. They plan a final protest outside Parliament on April 26th before transitioning to a new strategy, referencing growing corruption from corporations and the retreat of governments from necessary climate action. “We need a different approach,” the group said.
Despite the government’s policy shift, Just Stop Oil’s actions have drawn significant backlash, with many critics labeling their tactics as disruptive. Several activists have been sentenced to jail, including co-founder Roger Hallam, who is serving a reduced sentence after a recent appeal.
Though the direct actions are ending, Just Stop Oil's leadership insists that this is not the end of their resistance. They acknowledge that “nothing short of a revolution” will prevent the catastrophic effects of climate change, and they are preparing for a new phase of activism.
