Norfolk Just Stop Oil activists among those arrested during the Coronation
They were in London with Just Stop Oil
Last updated 9th May 2023
Campaign group Just Stop Oil says some of its members from Norfolk were among the 64 people arrested during the Coronation celebrations on Saturday.
The group claim an 18 year old from Buxton and a 40 year old from Norwich were among those detained.
They were attempting to unveil banners calling on the government to do more to address climate change.
The 18 year old, an A-level student, said: "The government has made it clear that their priority is to look after the wealthy and powerful, even if that means destroying everything.
"We cannot allow this. We have to demand, not ask, that they prioritise the wellbeing of everyone in the world over corporate profit.”
The 40 year old, a construction worker, spoke whilst he was handcuffed:
“We are here today on behalf of our sons, daughters, nieces and nephews. We have been detained and arrested, purely for peacefully demonstrating.
"We are simply demanding the British Government halt all new fossil fuel licences. This is the most basic, reasonable demand, upheld by the entirety of the world’s experts.”
Imogen, a 24 year old Agroecology student from Framlingham in Suffolk took part in the weekend's marches.
She explained why: “I'm here because there are other options, there are answers, there are so many inspiring people, ideas & movements tackling this. There are so many of us.
"We all know what has to happen, and I really believe most people agree we have to stop new fossil fuels now, it's obvious.
"There's so much amazing potential for us in the UK to be inspiring and hopeful for others - and yet at the moment we're stuck with leaders who only care about money, literally at the expense of human life and children who're not even born yet.”
The Met Police have been strongly criticised over the bank holiday for its treatment of protestors - although policing bosses insist they acted proportionately.