Beau Roddis
In recent months, the U.K. has witnessed a series of high-profile stunts by Just Stop Oil. From blocking traffic and gluing themselves to roads, to throwing soup at Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers and spray painting the front of Harrods- have the organisation’s actions become alienating and ineffective?
Who are Just Stop Oil?
Just Stop Oil are a coalition of groups that protest to ensure that the government commits to ending all new oil and gas projects and licenses, in line with a recommendation by the International Energy Agency. However, after the government announced a new round of licensing in early October, their prospects of success seem slim. The group has therefore ramped up its attention-grabbing activities, using tactics similar to the likes of Animal Rebellion, who recently poured milk onto shop floors across the country.
Controversial protest: The Soup Saga
When I saw the news that two young anti-fossil fuel protestors had thrown Heinz tomato soup over the Van Gogh Sunflowers, arguably the artist’s most famous masterpiece in London’s National Gallery, I felt shocked and angry. And, even after discovering that the painting was protected by glass and therefore unharmed, with just some minor damage to the frame, those feelings did not go away.
“for me, the ethics of this particular protest are about a lot more than whether or not the painting was destroyed”
Many, including long-standing climate and humanitarian activist Bob Geldof, have called the protest “genius”. Geldof argued that “It was clever to throw [soup] on the glass knowing [the painting] would not be destroyed.”
But for me, the ethics of this particular protest are about a lot more than whether or not the painting was destroyed. Not only does it show a lack of respect towards priceless and irreplaceable art, but it also shows a lack of respect for workers left to clean up the mess. Those same feelings rang true when I saw the stunt pulled outside Harrods, as activists spray painted the shop front orange. Clearly, there was no thought spared for anyone having to clean up after them.
“I fail to see how causing this level of disruption, which ultimately impacts those less well off, achieves their goals or bolsters support for their causes.”
Furthermore, at a time when food banks have seen an 81 per cent increase in usage, will throwing soup over a painting really win over support for your cause? This action is just so far removed from the stories we are currently hearing of some Brits facing the choice between heating and eating this winter.
For people who have called for the government to tax the rich and criticised them for failing to address the cost-of-living crisis, I fail to see how causing this level of disruption, which ultimately impacts those less well off, achieves their goals or bolsters support for their causes.
Dartford Crossing protest- Blood on Their Hands?
Two Just Stop Oil protesters climbed up the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge and blocked the Dartford Crossing on Monday, October 17. The closure caused major congestion and motorists were advised to find alternative travel routes.
Many passengers rerouted to the M20, causing tailbacks there also. As a result of the blockages, a fatal accident occurred, and two women lost their lives after the ambulance could not get through to them. A third driver, Mark Heap, suffered a leg fracture and broken bones in his back in the same crash. Mr Heap, 54, spoke to The Sun from the hospital. He said: “They may not have intended to hurt anyone, but they’ve got blood on their hands now.”
It is hard to disagree when faced with constant reports of emergency services vehicles being impeded by protesters who have glued themselves to the road, or used other such disruptive tactics.
Turning tides?
Whether rightly or wrongly, we Brits are known for our reluctance to complain and make a fuss. However, we have started to see the patience of the British public wear thin as protests, particularly in the nation’s capital, have ramped up.
Saturday, October 15 saw a video circulate of a motorist clashing with activists as they blocked a road in east London. Around 30 protesters gathered at a junction on Shoreditch High Street just after midday, where they set up a roadblock and several glued themselves to the road. In the clip, which was posted on Just Stop Oil’s official Twitter account, a driver tells protesters to “move out of the way” as he tries to drive his wife to the hospital, whilst another man forcibly removes one from the pavement.
“The government, in their Westminster bubble, remain unscathed, branding the group’s actions as “unacceptable” from afar.”
And herein lies another issue that I have with the protesters and their tactics. In gluing yourself to a road and causing traffic chaos, who are you affecting? Ordinary people trying to move around the city, emergency services and the police, who are called away from dealing with serious crime to come and “de-bond” protestors. The roadblocks have caused national outrage, as news outlets have reported on emergency service vehicles being impeded in their journeys, ultimately putting lives at risk.
In doing this, is the organisation reaching its target audience, those with the power to meet the demands? No. The government, in their Westminster bubble, remain unscathed, branding the group’s actions as “unacceptable” from afar.
No End in Sight?
The Guardian reported that Just Stop Oil protesters vowed they will continue their disruptive protests until the government imposes the death penalty for their actions. This comes against the backdrop of the government’s new Public Order Bill, which aims to curtail the group’s civil disobedience tactics.
As frustrating as this must be for the organisation, its retaliatory statement was inflammatory and will have done little to win over those who are already irritated by its disruptive protest tactics.
Featured image courtesy of Li-An Lim via Unsplash. No changes were made to this image. Image license found here.
