Just Stop Oil say new police protest powers won't stop them
Measures in Queen's Speech are 'terrifying', say protestors
Last updated 11th May 2022
Protestors from Just Stop Oil have spoken out after yesterday's Queen's Speech included new powers to tackle protests.
The Public Order Bill will enable police to jail protesters for six months if they “lock on” to public transport infrastructure or glue themselves to roads.
A new offence of interfering with key national infrastructure – such as airports, railways and printing presses – will carry a maximum sentence of 12 months in prison, an unlimited fine, or both.
It will also become illegal to obstruct major transport works, such as the HS2 high-speed rail link, again punishable by up to six months in prison, an unlimited fine, or both.
Some of these are tactics common among environmental groups such as Just Stop Oil, and have been used by their supporters at recent protests at oil depots in Purfleet and Thurrock.
Xanthe is from the group - they say these new powers won't deter them: "These new rules are terrifying but that's the whole point. By putting laws in place, they think that'll make us stop, but how can we?
"I turned 18 a few weeks ago and should be doing what usual 18 year olds do, but instead I'm here speaking to you because climate science says the next 10-15 years on this Earth will look very different.
"Supporters of Just Stop Oil will continue in civil resistance against the UK government until they stop investing in new fossil fuel projects."
They say rather than shutting down protestors, the government should be listening: "I'm acting because I've learnt about this, I've learnt about the climate science and have heard stories from people in the global South who are being killed, right now, because of oil extraction for the UK's benefit.
"Why is the government putting laws in place that will criminalise me for doing something about it?"
Police will also be given extended stop and search powers, meaning they'll be able to stop anyone nearby a protest whether they're taking part or not.
Xanthe argues these new powers won't solve any issues and may exacerbate existing tensions: "Shell made record profits this year, meanwhile normal people like my parents are struggling to afford to pay their energy bills.
"There is a solution to this and it's switching to renewable energy and properly insulating our homes. It's definitely not approving 42 new oil and gas fields and it's certainly not increasing police powers which will only intensify all of the already existing inequalities in this country.
They also believe the powers will negatively impact some members of society more than others: "Already, black people in the UK are 9 times more likely than white people to be stopped and searched by police.
"Extending stop and search powers only increases racist policing and will, of course, disproportionately affect people of colour."
Home Secretary Priti Patel said ministers are determined to prevent protesters bringing the country to “a grinding halt”, when she was asked about the plans during a visit to the Metropolitan Police specialist training centre in Gravesend, Kent, on Monday.
“The law-abiding, responsible majority have had enough of anti-social, disruptive protests carried out by a self-indulgent minority who seem to revel in causing mayhem and misery for the rest of us,” she said.
Ms Patel denied she is attempting to erode the right to protest, describing it as a “fundamental right … that we all cherish dearly” and dismissing such claims put forward by opponents as a “lazy excuse”.
Asked what checks will ensure police do not abuse the new powers, amid concerns from opponents about heavy handedness by officers, she said the police have “specialist training” to deal with public order incidents.
“The police are incredibly sensitive in the way in which they deal with those protesters – they have to be for very good reasons, public safety is the paramount issue here,” she said.