Just Stop Oil priest arrested after protesters’ slow march disrupts London traffic

A priest was among the Just Stop Oil protestors who were arrested as the climate group marched through London this morning.

Reverend Bill White, 68, a priest and grandfather from Macclesfield, was part of the 34 activists who took to the roads in protest.

Protestors have entered their eleventh consecutive week of slow marching today.

They are demanding that the government halts all new licences and consents for oil, gas, and coal projects in the UK.

Last week protestors interrupted the second Ashes test at Lords, and wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow carried one of the activists off the pitch.

The group this morning began marching in Ealing, Hammersmith, Elephant and Castle, Bayswater, and Victoria. Nearly 20 people entered the road in Hangar Lane, West London, just after 8am.

Police issued a Section 12 order and protestors were taken off the road 40 minutes later

Reverend Bill White was arrested for peacefully marching in the road with a sign that said ‘Act out of Love’ on King Street in Hammersmith at around the same time.

Mr White said: ‘The situation we’re in demands no new oil, gas or coal. It’s not fair that others are suffering and dying, because of our addiction to burning oil.’

‘Our disgraced government can’t get this right without our help.

‘They hear the message of the oil industry loud and clear, now they need to hear the voices of ordinary people, your voice.

‘To protect our loved ones we must step off the sidelines and demand change.’

Zoe Cohen, 53, a self-employed mum from Warrington was marching with Just Stop Oil today. She said: ‘I’m taking action for all children everywhere.

‘For my daughter and for my three-year-old niece. She’s so little that she has no idea the world she has been born into, what awaits her, and how the Government is actively pursuing policies of new oil and gas that will shorten her life expectancy and worsen her quality of life.

‘I wonder if she marched with me whether the police would arrest her too?’

A Just Stop Oil spokesperson said: ‘A group of 34 Just Stop Oil Supporters began marching in Ealing, Hammersmith, Elephant and Castle, Bayswater, and Victoria. 19 people entered the road in Hangar Lane, West London this morning at 08:13am.

‘They began marching on this arterial road, impacting traffic on the A406 and A40. Police issued a section 12 and they were off the road by 8:40. Reverend Bill White was arrested for peacefully marching in the road with a sign that said ‘Act out of Love’ on King Street in Hammersmith at 8:37.

‘The march in Bayswater was issued a section 12 notice and was off the road after 20 minutes. All other marches were off the road by 9:25. Further marches are expected this morning.’

Just Stop Oil supporters have completed up to seven marches a day, six days a week since the 24th April.

Over 600 ordinary people from all over the UK have taken part. Including arrests at the Coronation and cultural and sporting events there have been around 225 arrests this year.

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