More than 200 arrests as climate change activists disrupt key oil terminals for third day
About 100 protesters have disrupted key oil terminals in England for a third consecutive day.
Activists from the environmental campaign group Just Stop Oil have forced a number of facilities to cease operating on Sunday.
The protesters are demanding that the UK government stops new oil and gas projects.
More than 30 members of Just Stop Oil camped outside the Buncefield oil terminal in Hertfordshire overnight.
In the early hours of Sunday morning, 12 activists gained access to the site and entered the facility.
Some stood on fuel trucks with banners and refused to come down, while others sat outside the gates to prevent tankers from leaving.
Ronan, a protester who slept overnight at the site, told Sky News: “This is an ongoing campaign so there is no end date to it.
“Our message is that direct action and civil disobedience is only going to ramp up until we see change in the right direction.
“It’s just incredibly sad that it takes action like this to force change, but as long as we don’t see change, activists will stand up and force change.”
When asked whether this is the right time for action like this disrupting fuel supply in the midst of a cost of living crisis, Ronan said he feels he cannot wait any longer.
Read more: Climate change activists enter tunnels as they block access to Essex oil terminals
The protester continued: “Unless we act today, the questions we will have in the future will be, can we feed ourselves? That’s the choice we now have.
“Do we go through mild disruption now, to transition away from fossil fuels rapidly – or do we plough on and end up in a situation where we have massive flooding, potentially mass starvation, as crops fail? This isn’t hyperbole.”
Subscribe to ClimateCast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Spreaker
Hertfordshire Police and ambulances have been on site since the early hours and have arrested 27 people. Officers flew drones above the site and an extensive exclusion zone remains in place.
Buncefield’s terminal was one of seven sites targeted by Just Stop Oil over the past three days and more than 200 people have been arrested since Friday.
At the Kingsbury Oil Terminal in Warwickshire, police arrested 54 people for offences including criminal damage, obstructing the highway and public order.
Assistant Chief Constable Ben Smith, who is leading the operation, said: “We fully acknowledge every person’s right to engage in lawful protest, however, when that protest becomes unlawful and disproportionate in nature, we will act to protect the rights of others.”
Tunnellers who have disrupted the entrances to Navigator and Grays terminals in Thurrock, Essex, since Friday remain in place, with 35 more people arrested on Sunday.
