Environmental protestors block oil terminals near Southampton

The activists demanded that the government stops new oil and gas projects in the UK

Activists demonstration outside BP's Hamble oil terminal
Author: Jason BeckPublished 1st Apr 2022

Campaigners have blocked roads outside oil terminals near Southampton in a protest against fossil fuels.

They targeted BP's Hamble oil terminal and ExxonMobil's Hythe terminal on Friday morning as part of ten co-ordinated demonstrations across the country.

Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil are demanding an end to the expansion of UK oil and gas production.

Just Stop Oil said in a statement: "The Just Stop Oil coalition is demanding an end to the government's genocidal policy of expanding UK oil and gas production and is calling on all those outraged at the prospect of climate collapse and suffering from the cost-of-living crisis to stand with us.

"Ordinary people can no longer afford oil and gas, it's time to Just Stop Oil.

"It's funding war and killing people in the global South, while destroying the future for young people everywhere."

Just Stop Oil supporters have disrupted several Premier League football matches in recent weeks, including by running onto pitches and tying themselves to goalposts.

ExxonMobil UK wrote on Twitter: "While we respect the right to peaceful protest, our priority is the safety of our people, our neighbours, the protestors and our operations.

"We are working with the police to ensure that safety is maintained."

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