Earlier this morning, a group of about 40 people started marching from Trafalgar Square in London in support of Just Stop Oil’s demand that the UK government immediately halt all future licenses and consents for fossil fuel exploration in the UK. According to a social media, at least 15 people were arrested, who now face up to one year in prison… for a 2 minute march on the streets of London. This action marks the beginning of what will be a daily act of civil resistance, with slow marches happening every day at 12pm from Trafalgar Square in London.

Police warned the marchers that they would be arrested under section 7 of the UK’s Public Order Act before they entered the road. As they peacefully entered the road, a policeman again warned them that they could face arrest, which, said the policeman: “could have a dramatic impact on your future.” An activist responded: “Oil is having a dramatic impact on our future!”

After approximately 2 minutes of marching, the arrests began. Video shows several marchers going into peaceful non-compliance: going floppy and lying down on the ground, forcing the police to drag or carry them away. It is always a dramatic sight to see people from all different ages laying down their bodies for the preservation of life, saying: “Come and take me away.”

Christopher Ford, a 46 year old nursery school teaching assistant and father of two sons was one of the marchers on the road today. He said:

“The United Nations are saying: ‘we are at a code red for humanity’. Our children’s futures are in danger. How, as a parent, can I stand by and do nothing? The government is releasing over 100 new oil licenses against the advice of the United Nations, the International Energy Agency and even their own advisors, the Climate Change Committee. This shows how they have a total disregard for the climate, our futures and the lives of our children. Only together can we stand against this, so join us every day from 12pm at Trafalgar Square.”

A spokesperson for Just Stop Oil said the following, “In 2023, our choices to take action, or to not take action, have consequences. To not engage in civil resistance at this point in history is not a neutral act. Our government’s flagrant disregard for the rule of law and the wellbeing of the people of this country must be opposed if we are to claim we have any morality. The government would rather imprison teenagers as young as 18, simply for marching – something people have done for centuries. 

These are teenagers who are simply demanding that the government begin to take the necessary actions that would protect their generation. These are changes that the overwhelming majority of the people want to see, yet our politicians don’t deliver them because they are in the pockets of the fossil fuel lobby. From today, this is why people are joining us to march every day at 12pm from Trafalgar Square. To everyone who understands the severity of this crisis; it is your time to step up. Join us.”

Today, Cressie Gethin, 21, appeared in court, coming from Bronzefield prison, where she has been held since Saturday, after being arrested for marching and refusing to comply in court. She has now been remanded (will be held in custody) until at least the 13th of December. 

There are now ten Just Stop Oil supporters in prison, including Morgan Trowland and Marcus Decker, who have been sentenced to the longest sentences ever awarded for peaceful direct action in the UK, and Phoebe Plummer, who last year, along with Anna Holland, threw tomato soup on Van Gogh’s Sunflowers at London’s National Gallery as an act of civil resistance. Seven of the ten have been imprisoned without trial for peacefully marching in the road.

Scientists are increasingly warning about the possibility of billions of deaths and social collapse because of extreme heat and the breakdown of our weather systems. As climate scientist William J Ripple has put it: “Life on our planet is clearly under siege.” 

Meme from William J Ripple, Credit Sophie Gabrielle, @CodeRedEarth

There are culprits here: the genocidal cult of elites and the governments of the world who support them in their death project of continued fossil fuel extraction. As we move into a time of extreme darkness and difficulty, the actions of ordinary people like those marching in London today become like candles, illuminating humanity’s path forward. The only option now is resistance and revolution.

Just Stop Oil is part of the A22 Network of civil resistance.