Just Stop Oil activist breaks down in tears as she protests on M25

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A Just Stop Oil protester filmed herself on top of a gantry on the M25 earlier, directly addressing motorists whose journeys were impacted as she seemed to cry. Louise Harris said people were “entitled to hate” her for her actions.

The 24-year-old musician appeared to break down in tears when she explained: “I’m here because I don’t have a future.”

Ms Harris was one of more than 12 demonstrators who climbed gantries on different sections of the M25 earlier.

Police said a total of 23 people had been arrested on the back of today’s eco antics.

The targeting of the London motorway was timed for the start of the COP27 climate summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

In footage posted by the activist group, Ms Harris said: “Hello, my name is Louise, I’m 24 years old and I’m here… I’m here because I don’t have a future.

“And you might hate me for doing this and you’re entitled to hate me. But I wish you would direct all that anger and hatred at our Government. They are betraying young people like me.

“I wouldn’t have to be there if they did their lawful duty to their own citizens. I’m part of the Just Stop Oil coalition demanding an end to all new oil and gas licences in the UK.”

“What we’re asking for is what all the scientists are asking for, the United Nations, the International Energy Agency, the IPCC.”

She then addd: “How many more people have to say we don’t have a liveable future if you continue licencing oil and gas for you to listen?

“Why does it take young people like me, up on a f*****g gantry on the M25, for you to listen?”

It is not the first time that the Cambridge University graduate has been involved in Just Stop Oil demonstrations.

According to the BBC, in April, she was arrested for climbing on top of an oil tanker at oil refinery.

It is also believed she was one of several Just Stop Oil activists removed from a Tottenham Hotspur match in March after tying herself to a goalpost.

Just Stop Oil said earlier today: “Yesterday evening, Just Stop Oil contacted the Metropolitan Police and National Highways to advise them that there would major disruption on the M25 and asked them to implement a 30mph speed limit.”

The group has vowed to continue its action, saying it will demonstrate repeatedly and continually until the group’s demand for no new oil and gas in the UK is met.

In an update on its website, the activist outfit said: “This is not a one-day event, expect us every day and anywhere.”

Those arrested were detained under Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, introduced earlier this year in response to climate demonstrations affecting UK infrastructure by various groups.

The Act allows the Home Secretary broad powers to impose restrictions on “unacceptable” protests without consulting Parliament.

Met Police Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said the M25 stunts were a matter of “criminality”, not protests.

He said: “This was a very significant and co-ordinated effort to cause massive disruption to the entirety of the M25.”

Three people were arrested last night on suspicion of planning public disruption, and a further four were arrested in south London just before 8am this morning for conspiracy to cause a public nuisance.

The Met said that more than 10,000 officer shifts had been dedicated to policing Just Stop Oil demonstrations since the beginning of October alone.

AC Twist said: “These are officers who would otherwise be dealing with issues that matter to local communities, such as knife crime, safeguarding and responding to burglaries.”

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