Despite a police campaign to thwart their objectives, dozens of climate change activists have been detained for actions targeting England’s busiest motorway.
As part of the Just Stop Oil protest, portions of the M25 were closed during Monday morning rush hour.
The protests occur as the COP27 international climate change negotiations in Egypt begin.
According to the Met Police, 35 persons were detained in reaction to the disturbance.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist characterised the behaviour as “criminality,” not dissent, and vowed to swiftly bring those responsible to justice.
“This was a very significant and co-ordinated effort to cause massive disruption to the entirety of the M25.”
Several junctions across Surrey, London and Kent were affected.
Protests were held at several locations on the M25 including: J2 (Darenth), J6-7 (Godstone), J8-9 (Reigate), J13-14 (Staines), J21a-22 (St Albans), J25 (Holmesdale tunnel) and J27 (M11).
Essex Police said there had been arrests after reports of people climbing up an overhead gantry close to junction 30 of the M25.
In an emotional video posted from one of the gantries, protester Louise said she was there because she felt she did not “have a future and you may 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
Leave a Reply