On 8th November, a disturbance was caused on the M25 by environmental activist group Just Stop Oil, causing long traffic queues on this motorway and neighbouring towns, with delays of up to 70 minutes. As part of the protest, a member of the organisation climbed onto the overhead gantries and harnessed themselves to the bars. Naturally, police were swiftly called to the scene, leading to several arrests.
Just Stop Oil's aims are to protest until the government stops all new licences for oil and fossil fuel exploration in the UK. According to their website, "Allowing the extraction of new oil and gas resources in the UK is an obscene and genocidal policy that will kill our children and condemn humanity to oblivion." As inconvenient as the protests may be for the ordinary public, they have been effective in gaining the attention of the UK government and police force. Since the beginning of their journey, 16 protesters have been arrested for causing public nuisance, or conspiracy to do so.
On 11th November, Just Stop Oil claimed they would stop the protests on the motorway for the near future. UK police is relieved by this, as much time and many resources were used to deal with these demonstrations.
