Environmental activists challenge British government against oil exploration

After protesting in front of Parliament and Downing Street at the beginning of the week, this Friday (7) activists occupied Trafalgar Square in London.

“We didn’t want to be here, but they (the government) didn’t give us any other option. We believe that at this moment the only way to change things is resistance”, declared Gemma Barnes, 32 years old, animal rights activist.

The increasing intensity and frequency of catastrophes related to climate change, in addition to heat waves, are also affecting the United Kingdom, increasing the anxiety and sense of urgency of these activists.

In rich countries “it would be unfair of us to ignore (these advances) and move on with our lives,” said Emma Brown, 30, referring to recent floods in Pakistan that left nearly 1.500 people dead.

In each of the demonstrations in recent days, the police detained dozens of people to ease traffic. Many detainees were sentenced to several weeks in prison.

The new Conservative government of Liz Truss, which has just reactivated oil and gas exploration licenses in the North Sea, is determined to take action against “Just Stop Oil”.

At this week's Conservative Party congress, the prime minister launched herself against movements and associations such as Extinction Rebellion and Greenpeace, whose activists briefly interrupted her speech on Wednesday (5). Truss accuses these groups of being part of a “coalition against economic development”, along with the Labor Party and the anti-Brexit movement.

Interior Minister Suella Braverman promethy strengthen police powers to “put an end to these disturbances” in an upcoming public order bill.

“So if you are part of the groups 'Just Stop Oil', 'Insulate Britain' or 'Extinction Rebellion' you cross the line when you break the law. Therefore, we will continue to impose rules”, insisted Braverman.

But the threats do not intimidate activists, many of whom took days off and traveled from far away to participate in events in the British capital.

(with AFP)

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