Police will have “more power” to stop slow marches as of June 15, according to a new regulation law amended on Wednesday, said the UK government.
“A clearer definition of ‘serious disruption’ will stop slow marching protesters causing hours of delay and distress to the public from tomorrow (June 15),” said the Home Office.
Saying that regulation “will tackle disruptive slow marching protest tactics,” the statement noted that since April, 156 of “Just Stop Oil” highly disruptive protests have occurred in London.
The group has been staging protests at events by pouring orange powder or by blocking roads, which has caused traffic disruption.
The British government contends the law aims to protect the public and businesses from “unacceptable actions.”
Metropolitan Police said on Monday that Just Stop Oil protests have cost more than £4.5 million (over $5.7 million) in six weeks, a period known as “slow marches.”
“The public is sick of Just Stop Oil’s selfish and self-defeating actions, which achieve nothing towards their cause,” read a tweet by Home Secretary Suella Braverman.
She said the new definition of serious disruption means police can stop slow marchers “to reclaim our right to get to work, hospital and go about our daily lives.”
“We’re giving police the support they need to quickly stop groups like Just Stop Oil from selfishly disrupting people’s daily lives,” said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Twitter, quoting Braverman’s post.
Just Stop Oil reiterated on Wednesday its call for people to participate in what they call “civil resistance” against new oil, gas, and coal.
Since the launch of the campaign on Feb. 14, 2022, over 2,200 people have been arrested, and 138 people have spent time in prison, many without trial, according to the group.
“Our indefinite campaign of civil resistance is underway and will not end until our government makes a meaningful statement halting new fossil fuel projects in the UK,” added the group’s statement.
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