Just Stop Oil protests: Activists block oil terminals as networks are forced to temporarily close operations

Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion protesters forced the shutdown of oil networks after they blocked tankers and roads.

Protesters targeted 10 sites across England, with police making 13 arrests so far.

The demonstration led to ExxonMobil, one of the country’s largest privately owned oil pipeline distribution networks, was forced to close three of its sites.

Which sites were targeted by Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion protesters?

Activists from both protest groups blocked roads at ten different sites across England.

Just Stop Oil added that around 30 activists had climbed on top of oil tankers at Navigator Terminals Thames, Grays, Essex

These were:

• Inter Terminals UK, Grays, Essex
• Navigator Terminals Thames, Grays, Essex
• Buncefield Oil Depot, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire
• Esso Birmingham Fuel Terminal, Birmingham, West Midlands
• Esso West London Terminal near Heathrow Airport, West London
• BP’s Hamble Oil Terminal, Southampton, Hampshire
• ExxonMobil’s Hythe Terminal, Southampton, Hampshire
• Esso’s Purfleet Fuels Terminal, Purfleet, Essex
• Kingsbury Oil Terminal, Kingsbury, Warwickshire
• BP Oil Depot, Kingsbury, Warwickshire

ExxonMobil confirmed the disruption, saying: “Small protests are currently underway outside our Hythe, Birmingham and West London fuel terminals.

“While we respect the right to peaceful protest, our priority is the safety of our people, our neighbours, the protesters and our operations.

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

Why did protesters block roads to oil networks?

Just Stop Oil has said that the action was taken to demand the Government ditch its “genocidal policy of expanding UK oil and gas production”.

In a statement the group said: “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.”

Protester Francis Brewer, who was at the demonstration at Esso Birmingham Fuel Terminal, told PA News Agency: “We’re blocking oil from leaving the site and blocking any trucks from coming in to re-fuel.

“I think we’ve gone so far now with the climate crisis, and had so many years of criminal inaction from our Government, that we have to start taking these drastic measures.”

Have police made any arrests?

So far, police have arrested 13 demonstrators in Essex.

Essex Police say they have been arrested on suspicion of obstructing the highway.

Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Nola said: “This is an extremely dangerous situation for the protesters to be in.

“We are being clear on the risks and are continuing to engage with them to try and bring this to a conclusion.

“My hope is that this will be resolved safely and swiftly, so that our officers can get back to protecting and serving the people of Essex.”

Meanwhile, officers in Hampshire confirmed that there have been no arrests made in their jurisdiction so far.

Hampshire Police said: “Officers are currently on the scene to facilitate the protesters’ right to peaceful protest, to ensure the health and safety of those involved and to minimise the impact on the local community and businesses.

“No arrests have been made at this stage.”

Who are Just Stop Oil?

Just Stop Oil is a climate activism group.

They describe themselves as “a coalition of groups working together to ensure the Government commits to halting new fossil fuel licensing and production.”

The group rose to prominence in the media after activists demonstrated at Premier League games on Thursday 17 March.

While some protesters were foiled before they made it to the goalposts, one demonstrator made headlines after tying himself to the goalposts at Goodison Park during a match between Everton and Newcastle.