The Labor Party has called on ministers to intervene in similar measures imposed last autumn after Extinction Rebellion and Insulate Britain militants blocked major highways, including the M25, other motorways and even the port of Dover. The party said it would make it easier for police to arrest those seeking to cause “misery to motorists”. Hundreds of people have been detained since the JSO and its affiliated activists launched their operation on April 1 – with more than 350 arrested in Grace, Essex alone, amid allegations by police of “extremely dangerous” tactics by activists. Image: Activists managed to delay supplies by reaching the loading areas and committing themselves to infrastructure. Photo: JSO Climate activists’ tactics included chaining for fuel infrastructure, including tankers. They urge the government to commit itself not to boost the UK’s energy security in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine through new oil and gas extraction. The JSO said: “More than 400 people took part in actions that managed to stop work for up to 24 hours at a time at 11 critical oil terminals supplying fuel to hundreds of gas stations in the Midlands and the south of England. “Up to one in three petrol stations are reported to be closed in the south of England due to the disruption caused by the actions. “This is miserable and our hearts are with all those who are upset. Nobody wants to do that, but it is 2022 and at the moment there is a need to break the law, so that we are not guilty of a greater crime, that of complicity with a great evil. “We have no choice but to engage in political resistance until the government announces the end of new oil and gas projects in the United Kingdom.” Workers said it was unacceptable for drivers, who were already paying high prices for fuel, to have problems getting fuel. Shadow Justice Minister Steve Reed said: “All this is happening under the supervision of the government. They have to solve it. Image: Activists managed to delay supplies by reaching the loading areas and committing themselves to infrastructure. Photo: JSO “The Conservatives must stop being idle and put an end to this unrest that is causing misery to motorists.” A spokeswoman for No. 10 said: “We recognize the power of emotion and the right to protest is the cornerstone of our democracy, but we will not tolerate guerrilla tactics that prevent people from doing their daily work.” The spokeswoman added: “We fully support the police who use significant resources in their response to the protests.”
