Just Stop Oil protester says mother may be held up on way to hospital
Moment Just Stop Oil fanatic admits she’d ‘understand’ if her own MOTHER was stopped from getting to hospital by eco clowns blocking the roads – as mob cause chaos in London
- Indigo Rumbelow said she would support protesters if her mother was impacted
- Just Stop Oil are currently in their sixth week of slow marching protests
- Earlier on Thursday activists were confronted by angry members of the public
A Just Stop Oil fanatic has said she would ‘understand’ if her own mother was blocked from getting to hospital for an appointment by protesters from the group.
Eco-activist Indigo Rumbelow told podcast The News Agents she would ‘personally understand’ protesters’ actions and argued that the climate crisis places billions of lives at risk.
When asked about an incident in which members of Just Stop Oil reportedly refused to allow a member of the public past their blockade to travel to a hospital appointment, Ms Rumbelow said she would support that decision, even if it meant ‘life or death’.
It comes as Just Stop Oil activists held slow marches through central London again on Thursday in their sixth week of action designed to cause disruption to motorists and force the government to stop granting new fossil fuels licences.
The group were confronted by several furious members of the public on Thursday, including by one man who appeared to push a protester onto the ground in the path of a stationary truck.
Just Stop Oil spokesperson Indigo Rumbelow told podcast The News Agents that she would ‘understand’ if her mother could not get to hospital in time for an appointment
Protesters were seen walking in front of the England cricket bus on Thursday holding signs reading ‘Life over oil’
Ms Rumbelow said: ‘So we’re disrupting ordinary people’s lives and I accept that having to do that [is a] grave and difficult thing to do.’
When pushed by former BBC journalist Jon Sopel on whether she would still support such action if it were her own mother who was held up, she said: ‘I would personally understand why there’s Just Stop Oil protesters blocking the road. Even if it’s my mum.’
She continued: ‘That’s because what we’re talking about coming down the line within my lifetime, by 2030, is billions of people living outside of livable temperatures.
‘It’s a moral choice that we all have to make. And we have to dcecide whether we are going to stand up to a Tory government which is pursuing new oil and gas in the middle of the climate crisis, despite the warnings that this is going to kill billions of people, or whether we are going to sit by and just pretend we have no power.’
Ms Rumbelow, whose father previously told MailOnline he ‘couldn’t be more proud of her’, also reiterated that Just Stop Oil have a ‘blue lights policy’ meaning they always stop blocking a road if an emergency service vehicle with blue lights needs to pass by.
The activist, who once glued herself to the M25 for Insulate Britain and was Extinction Rebellion’s arts coordinator for North East London, has previously had to deny being a ‘hypocrite’ having enjoyed breaks in Sweden, Lithuania, Croatia and other beauty spots abroad before turning to activism full time.
She previously told MailOnline she has not travelled by plane for six years, and that her trips to Europe were conducted via train.
During her environmental protests, which began in 2017, she has been arrested at least six times.
Elsewhere a furious passerby confronted young Just Stop Oil protesters as they embarked on another slow march through London this morning – and held up the England cricket team on their way to Lord’s.
The man shouted at protesters as they marched through Battersea, accusing them of being benefits scroungers and telling them to ‘get a job’.
When pushed by former BBC journalist Jon Sopel, Ms Rumbelow said she would support Just Stop Oil protesters even if it meant her own mother could not get to a hospital appointment
The member of the public repeatedly walks through the protesters while shouting at them to ‘get a job’
The man, wearing a red cap and headphones, confronted the protesters as they walked through Battersea
The Government is attempting to introduce new legislation which would enable police officers to deal instantly with disruptive protests, although this is not due to be voted on in Parliament until at least mid-June.
Earlier on Thursday the England cricket team became the latest victims of Just Stop Oil after they were delayed their their team bus headed to Lord’s for a Test match against Ireland.
Posting the clip of the man confronting protesters, Just Stop Oil said: ‘ROAD RAGE: Posh man shouts in faces of students telling them to get a job while he has a nice walk around Battersea.
‘He’s right though. Some aren’t contributing to society. Pushing up our energy bills. Blocking renewable power. Criminalising protest. @Conservatives.’
The clip shows the man walking backwards and forwards through the group of protesters, treading over their banners as they allow him through.
He says: ‘I am free to walk here. I’m not assaulting people, I’m free to walk here.’
As he changes direction to continue crossing the path of the activists he adds: ‘I’m walking here. Now I’m walking here.’
He then shouted: ‘[Why do] you have the right to destroy other people’s lives?’
Read more: ‘Stop claiming benefits, go home and get a job!’: Moment furious passerby yells at Just Stop Oil eco clowns as protesters block bridges and hold up coach carrying England cricket team to Lord’s
The Just Stop Oil member filming the interaction then asks the man to speak to him, but the member of the public simply carries on, yelling: ‘I am so appalled by your behaviour.
‘Get a job. Stop claiming benefits. Go and get a job!’
Confronting the man filming, the member of the public then says: ‘You can get a job too. Pay your taxes like everyone else, come on.’
The man is accused by protest organisers of ‘pushing young people’, to which he responds: ‘I am not pushing them, I am telling the [students] to go home and get a job.’
He then confronts the man accusing him of pushing and asks him about his employment status, to which the activist confirms he is employed as a baker.
At the end of the video, the man can be heard yelling: ‘All of these people are taking from society. Not one of these people is contributing towards society!’
Elsewhere, another member of the public was pictured appearing to shove a Just Stop Oil protest over and into the path of a stationary truck.
The furious man repeatedly walks through the line of Just Stop Oil activists
A member of the public appears to push a Just Stop Oil protester over in front of a stationary London bus
The man appears to have verbally remonstrated with the activists before turning violent
The activist was left lying on the floor after he was reportedly pushed over
England cricketer Jonny Bairstow posted a picture of Just Stop Oil protesters holding up the team bus en route to Lord’s for the pre-Ashes Test match against Ireland
Police officers engage with protesters holding up traffic in London on Thursday
Members of the England men’s cricket team were also affected after their bus was held up on the way to Lord’s ahead of their test match against Ireland.
Player Jonny Bairstow shared an Instagram picture of the orange-clad demonstrators being spoken to by police as they blocked a road close to Hyde Park in London.
He captioned the snap: ‘If we’re a bit late, it’s not our fault.’
Just Stop Oil later posted a video showing four protesters walking slowly along the road holding placards that read ‘Life over Oil’ and ‘We won’t die quietly’.
A statement on Twitter read: ‘BREAKING: Just Stop Oil supporters march in Kensington and Battersea. And apparently that’s the @englandcricket team bus.
‘They might know a bit about a batting collapse, but the climate crisis is no one-day international – it’s our biggest test.
‘But our government are pushing us over the boundary. No-one is safe from climate collapse, it will destroy everything we value and love, leaving just ashes.
‘Oil and gas has had a good innings but it’s time to declare.’
Seven police officers are then seen in the video approaching the protesters.
Separately, members of Just Stop Oil arrived in Hyde Park Corner shortly after 8am on Thursday, according to the Metropolitan Police.
A statement on social media read: ‘Police were made aware of Just Stop Oil #protesters #slowmarching in the road at Wellington Arch at 8.07hrs, Thursday, 1 June.
‘Officers were on the scene at 8.09hrs, assessing the situation and engaging with the #protesters.’
One elderly protester held a sign reading ‘We won’t die quietly’ as she held up the England cricket team on their way to Lord’s
Police officers arrive on the scene as four protesters hold up traffic, including the England cricket team’s bus in South Kensington (pictured)
Young people demonstrate on the Albert Bridge on Thursday morning, holding signs reading ‘It’s our future’ and ‘Youth are rising’
A small group of environmentalists block traffic on busy roads in central London on Thursday
There was a heavy police presence at the scene of protests elsewhere in London on Thursday
At least a dozen police officers arrive at the scene of Just Stop Oil protests on Thursday morning
Protesters later also began slow marching on Bayswater Road, Albert Bridge, Chelsea Bridge and outside the Royal Albert Hall.
The disruption on Albert Bridge was led by young people who held signs with slogans such as ‘It’s our future’ and ‘Youth in resistance’.
According to police, all protesters moved out of the road when instructed to do so by officers. Photographs from the scene show officers speaking to protesters.
Phil Green, 22, a student from Cornwall who took part in this morning’s protest, said: ‘In my lifetime, the UK Government has never stood up for the people – not once.
‘As a young person, I have no faith in those in power to make the change we need to keep us safe. We need big changes and that now has to come from us, the people.
‘I don’t want to live in a world where floods, wildfires, and crop failures are a common occurrence.
‘We’re not asking for much, just a world where we can feed our families and thrive in our communities.
‘Stopping new fossil fuel licences is an absolute no-brainer to ensure energy security, lower bills and cut emissions.
‘I want to call on young people everywhere to step up and join a march, every Saturday at midday in Parliament Square.’
England are playing Ireland in a one-off Test match starting today. The team bus was delayed by about five minutes before making it to Lord’s. They arrived at 9.15am, with play beginning at 11am.
The environmental protest group have disrupted a number of prominent sporting events in recent months, as well as a disrupting traffic with ‘go-slow’ marches in major cities.
The Gallagher Premiership rugby final between Saracens and Sale Sharks at Twickenham was interrupted last Saturday when protesters ran onto the field and threw orange powder.
England and Ireland meet in a Test match at Lord’s which will serve as a warm-up before the Ashes later this month
Jonny Bairstow (left) jokes with coach Brendon McCullum and Joe Root (right) during England’s net session ahead of the Ireland Test
It followed a similar powder stunt at the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible in Sheffield in April, which halted play.
A man climbed onto one of the tables and covered it in orange powder while another protester tried to glue herself to the second table.
Samuel Johnson, 40, of Reydon in Suffolk, and Patrick Hart, 37, of Brislington, Bristol appeared in court on Monday charged with criminal damage and aggravated trespass after the rugby final stunt.
The court heard how the pair threw orange cornflour on to the grass before being intercepted by stewards and led off the pitch. The powder was visible for the remainder of the game.
Magistrate Helen Jones sent the matter to be tried at a Crown Court. The pair are due to appear at Kingston Crown Court on June 26.
Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership rugby final was disrupted by orange-powder throwing protesters from Just Stop Oil
A Just Stop Oil protester also disrupted the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible
Orange powder was thrown and play halted during the stunt in Sheffield back in April
There were gasps from the Crucible crowd when the first round match between Robert Milkins and Joe Perry was interrupted on April 17.
As one protester jumped onto the table and covered it in orange powder, another tried to glue herself to the adjacent table where Mark Allen and Fan Zhengyi were in action, but was stopped by referee Olivier Marteel.
Last season, a protester caused a delay to Everton’s Premier League clash with Newcastle United at Goodison Park when he attached his neck to a goalpost with a cable tie.
Mail Sport revealed earlier this week that ‘sprinter stewards’ will be deployed at this Saturday’s Wembley FA Cup final between Manchester United and Manchester City to prevent protesters invading the pitch.
The possibility that Just Stop Oil will target the high-profile event has formed a major part of the security planning.
Sprinter stewards are specially trained in dealing with invaders and wear football boots or footwear so they can intervene speedily.
Also described as ‘pitch runners’, they are tasked with keeping an eye out for any members of the public attempting to breach security lines and make their way onto the field of play.
Louis McKechnie, 21, stormed the pitch and zip-tied himself to the goalpost at Goodison Park during the game between Everton and Newcastle United last year
Stadium staff prised him free with a huge pair of bolt cutters and hauled him off the pitch where he was arrested by police
A statement released by Just Stop Oil following the Twickenham protest said they would ‘continue to take disruptive action until this government stops new fossil fuels’.
England open their summer fixtures against Ireland before Australia arrive later this month for the Ashes.
In the wake of a series of stunts targeting high-profile events, Marylebone Cricket Club, the proprietor of Lord’s in north London, said it is taking measures to minimise the threat from Just Stop Oil.
A spokesman said the ‘safety and security’ of players and spectators was the ‘highest priority’.
‘While protests would disrupt the game, we have a number of security measures in place, some visible, some less so, to deter this. In some areas we have enhanced existing provisions,’ the spokesman said.
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