Just Stop Oil begin day two of ‘slow walking’ protests in London - sparking fury during morning commute

25 April 2023, 09:40 | Updated: 25 April 2023, 11:18

Just Stop Oil march in London

By Jenny Medlicott

Just Stop Oil protesters have infuriated London commuters with the second day of their slow walking protests in Westminster.

Over 100 Just Stop Oil protestors are marching through five different central London areas this morning as part of the second day of their 'slow walking' protest.

The activists have taken to walking in the middle of the road with placards, marching in front of cars at a leisurely pace so the vehicles are forced to slow down on their morning commute, while chanting "we do this for our children".

Footage circulating online has showed those in the vehicles visibly infuriated by the demonstrations, with some commuters even leaving their cars and shouting at the protestors to get out the way before they're late for work.

Yesterday, on the first day of action, the campaign group disrupted traffic on roads in the West End, Westminster and South London.

Read more: Lamb and '£10,000 heroin and cocaine haul' found during police raid of car on the M74

The group's main demand is for the government to stop funding new oil and gas projects.

Earlier this month an activist from its group brought the world snooker championships to a sudden halt by climbing onto the championship table and covering it in orange powder.

The slow march comes after a weekend of rallies from Extinction Rebellion on the streets of Westminster, alongside other environment campaign groups, who share similar demands.

I want my children - and all children - to grow up safe and fed. Taking nonviolent action towards this aim feels like the responsible thing for parents to do right now

- Eco protester

Speaking to those demonstrating at the march, Kate Logan, a 38-year-old from London said of her decision to protest: "I want my children - and all children - to grow up safe and fed. Taking nonviolent action towards this aim feels like the responsible thing for parents to do right now."

Read more: Activist jailed for scaling Dartford Bridge slams sentence saying climate crisis 'should've been taken into account'

However, London commuters are less than pleased with the action, one social media user online even suggested the group be renamed "Just Sabotage Britain" in frustration at the activists.

The Metropolitan police have since issued a statement about today's action: "The Met is aware of a number of protesters slow walking on the roads. Officers are on scene and attempting to engage. We are carefully monitoring for any disruption and will take action as necessary."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

A large sinkhole has forced the closure of the high street in the Surrey village of Godstone

Homes evacuated and major incident declared after 65ft sinkhole appears in Surrey village

Lydia Mugambe

United Nations judge forced woman to work as slave after tricking her to come to UK, court hears

Craig and Lindsay Foreman

Did motorbike couple's 'happiness' survey prompt arrest on spying charges in Iran?

Abdirahman Ibrahim has been convicted of murder after driving into the back of Liam Jones

Killer driver mows down e-bike rider to 'teach him lesson' for doing wheelies

The Vatican says Pope Francis is being treated for 'bilateral pneumonia'

New scans show Pope Francis has pneumonia in both lungs but Vatican says he remains ‘in good spirits’

Meghan

Meghan Markle could face 'legal action' from Spanish town as her new luxury brand logo faces resemblance to coat of arms

The father of murdered schoolgirl Sara Sharif is reportedly being protected by a 'Muslim gang'

Sara Sharif's father protected by 'Muslim gang' in jail after being attacked with jagged tuna lid

Zhenhao Zou is accused of raping three women in London and 7 in China, whilst they were unconscious

PhD student 'discussed rape role-play' with alleged victim, trial hears

Exclusive
Senior Tories including Suella Braverman and Michael Gove have criticised the judge's comments

Senior Tories blast 'out of touch' judge for 'ludicrous attack' on Starmer’s migrant remarks

Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, died in an airstrike, Hamas said

Bodies of youngest Israeli hostage Kfir Bibas and his brother and mother to be handed over as family ‘in turmoil’

Lisa Smith, 43, was with a female friend when she was killed outside the Three Horseshoes pub in Knockholt, Kent

Man suspected of fatally shooting wife outside pub on Valentine's Day rang friend and said 'she's dead'

Carry On legend Julian Holloway dies aged 80

Carry On legend Julian Holloway dies aged 80 after 'brief illness' as tributes pour in

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned 'any appearance by armed forces under some other flag' in Ukraine would be 'completely unacceptable', in a dig at a peace plan floated by Keir Starmer.

Keir Starmer’s Ukraine peacekeeping plan ‘completely unacceptable’, Russia tells US in Saudi Arabia talks

Rita Lambourne, 58, was “fatally wounded” at her home in Bayencourt South, Bexhill

Man charged with axe murder of woman in own home

Lydia Mugambe is accused of taking 'advantage of her status'

UN judge ‘trafficked woman to UK to be her slave'

Anonymous posters have appeared in Hampstead Heath, a park in north London, calling for gay men to stop using the park for sex.

'Take back Hampstead Heath', dog walkers urged as posters appear calling for men to stop using park for sex