Furious motorists DRAG Just Stop Oil protesters out of the road

‘I have to go to hospital… stop interfering with us!’ Furious motorists DRAG Just Stop Oil protesters out of the road on day nine of protests – as eco activists vow to not ‘back down’ in their ‘Occupation of Westminster’

• Eco-warriors Just Stop Oil are protesting for the ninth day in Westminster demanding an end to oil and gas
• They say they will continue to disrupt roads and the public every day in October until fossil fuel use stops
• Angry motorists have been pictured today dragging protesters out of the road and shouting at them

Furious motorists have been pictured dragging members of the environmental group Just Stop Oil from the roads surrounding Westminster as activists stop traffic for the ninth day in a row.

Dozens of protesters against the continued use of oil and gas despite their detrimental climate impacts have blocked roads in central London around the Houses of Parliament today, in a bid to force government to take action on the climate crisis.

But motorists out and about this afternoon were frustrated by the protests and took matters into their own hands – attempting to forcibly remove the protesters from the roads themselves. 

There is also footage online of a white van driving towards the protesters at speed, before slamming the brakes on and stopping just a couple of centimetres in front of them.

This driver and others were shown violently pushing and shoving protesters, as well as dragging them towards the pavement. 

In one online video a driver can be heard saying: ‘I have to go to hospital… stop interfering with us!’

Protesters held multiple banners and were all dressed in orange jackets, and vow to disrupt roads for the rest of the month. 

Dozens of Just Stop Oil protesters marched on Westminster for the ninth day in a row today and warned they will continue to do so throughout the month

The organisation plans to blockade roads around Westminster every day in October and yesterday teamed up with Animal Rebellion

A man at today’s protests held up a sign reading ‘Don’t jail the messengers’ and demanding the government takes action now

Just Stop Oil revealed today that one protester had to have emergency medical treatment after being removed from the road by a motorist, but added: ‘We are not backing down’

The Just Stop Oil protesters have also begun doubling up in lines across the road, to ensure dragging them out the way is not so straightforward

The group has revealed that one activist required emergency medical care after being violently removed from the road by a motorist on Saturday. 

In a statement, Just Stop Oil said: ‘We are not backing down.

‘Today, the Occupation of Westminster enters its 9th day. Massive disruption has been caused throughout the borough with multiple bridges and key A roads repeatedly blocked.

‘Yesterday, a group of Just Stop Oil supporters remained resolutely nonviolent when confronted by the understandably frustrated members of the public. 

‘One supporter required emergency medical treatment due to having been removed from the road by a member of the public. 

‘The disruption will end when the Government makes a statement that it will halt all future licensing and consents for the exploration, development and production of fossil fuels in the UK.’

They vow to continue blocking roads in Westminster every day in October. 

Yesterday activists wearing luminous vests sat across Marylebone Road, while long queues of cars, buses and taxis angrily beeped their horns. 

Protesters at Piccadilly Circus on Sunday hold banners and appear to have locked themselves together

Police begin talking to protesters in an effort to persuade them to move out of the road before they are arrested

In part due to angry motorists, some protesters have turned to extreme measures to prevent them from being moved against their will – including locking together by the neck

A motorcycle rider reacts in frustration at the Just Stop Oil protesters blocking his path

There were 24 arrests made in relation to the Just Stop Oil protests yesterday.

One man was filmed being arrested during the protests, but told the interviewer he had simply congratulated them for their action.

He told reporters he lived ’round the corner’ and simply came out to say to the activists he supports them, but quickly found himself detained by officers.

Today’s action follows protests in the capital every day since last Saturday, which have also seen Just Stop Oil block roads around Parliament Square, Waterloo Bridge and Trafalgar Square.

The sit-down yesterday during the week of action saw some protestors gluing themselves to the road to hinder attempts to remove them, as they continue to demand the Government stops new oil and gas projects.

Yesterday Just Stop Oil teamed up with Animal Rebellion, an off-shoot of Extinction Rebellion, to bring large parts of the capital to a standstill.

Activists also painted over shop windows and emptied red paint inside some stores which they argued supported the killing of animals, including a shooting supplies store. 

There is no sign of Animal Rebellion so far today. 

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