Just Stop Oil: The Movement’s Underground Resurgence After Government Crackdown

Just Stop Oil (JSO) is getting ready for a final protest in Central London. In their short three-year history, they’ve made headlines by blocking roads and splashing paint. However, this last gathering marks a shift in their approach – they claim to have achieved their goal of halting new oil and gas licenses in the UK.

Sarah Lunnon, co-founder of JSO, describes this final event as a “joyful celebration.” She acknowledges that their tactics have sometimes driven a wedge between them and the public. Many who faced delays or saw their favorite artworks vandalized are likely relieved to see the end of JSO’s protests.

In 2023 alone, protests led by JSO cost the Metropolitan Police nearly £20 million in resources. Their actions, although aimed at raising awareness about climate change, have sparked significant public backlash. A recent YouGov poll showed that only 17% of people view JSO favorably, even as 80% believe the government should prioritize climate change.

A key factor in the decline of JSO’s disruptive style has been changes in legislation that empower police to manage protests more strictly. Recent laws have broadened the definition of public nuisance and imposed serious penalties for causing disruptions. This has made it much harder for movements like JSO to function without facing severe legal consequences. Some activists have acknowledged that they might need to rethink their strategies in light of these challenges.

Experts weigh in on the situation, with David Spencer from Policy Exchange arguing that previous laws often favored disruptive protesters at the cost of the public’s legitimate interests. Conversely, human rights groups like Liberty argue that these legal changes represent a dangerous encroachment on the right to protest.

The evolution of JSO’s tactics reflects broader patterns in the climate movement. Some activists believe that without traditional forms of accountability, more radical tactics may emerge. One group, Shut the System (STS), has taken to vandalizing corporations they see as complicit in environmental degradation, arguing that the stakes are too high to be overly cautious.

On the flip side, there are groups, like the Citizen’s Arrest Network (CAN), that have chosen to use the law in a different way. They aim to hold corporate leaders accountable by citing public nuisance laws and organizing peaceful citizens’ arrests. This shows a diverse range of strategies within the climate movement.

Historically, disruptive protests like those from Extinction Rebellion gained traction and even led to legislative changes in the past. However, the climate landscape has shifted, and activists are now contemplating how to engage the public without resorting to extreme actions.

Rupert Read, a former spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion, stresses the importance of building a broad-based movement that brings people together rather than alienating them through disruption. He and others are now focusing on fostering a climate coalition that emphasizes cooperative actions and engages various communities.

In summary, as JSO bows out of the spotlight, the climate movement must navigate the complexities of public perception, legal restrictions, and the urgent need for action on climate change. It’s clear that while JSO’s approach has come to an end, the fight for climate awareness continues, albeit through evolving tactics that seek broader public support.

Check out this related article: Revolutionary British Satellite to Create First-Ever 3D Forest Map of Earth to Fight Climate Change

Source link

Getty Images,JSO,Just Stop Oil,climate change,public nuisance