A group of mothers and grandmothers were arrested this afternoon while slow-marching in London in support of Just Stop Oil’s demand for the government to end new oil and gas.
33 Just Stop Oil supporting mothers and grandmothers began marching down Whitehall from Trafalgar Square. Metropolitan Police kettled the group before arresting them, including a grandmother aged 79 and a great grandmother. They were detained for allegedly breaching Section 7 of the Public Order Act 2023.
Since Just Stop Oil’s most recent campaign began a week ago, police have refused to respect their rights to protest and have opted for immediately arresting slow marchers, but this group of mothers refused to be intimidated.
The mothers say that they refuse to stand by while government policies continue to support the fossil fuel industry, leading to global suffering on an unprecedented scale. The marching mums carried placards explaining why they felt compelled to resist: for their children, for all the world’s children and future generations.
Gill Tavner, a mother of two daughters, aged 19 and 21, from Stroud said
“We’re marching here to oppose corporate greed with maternal love. For years we’ve watched in mounting disbelief as global leaders have failed to take the necessary action to reduce the burning of fossil fuels. This government is travelling in completely the wrong direction.
“It’s crazy that in asking for a liveable world for our children we are vilified and criminalised. My heart aches when I think about the difficulties ahead for my girls, and even more so for less privileged children in the world. If we could rely on responsible leadership, this action would not be necessary, but politics is broken and so I’m compelled to take action. It’s the most important thing I can do as a mother.”
Angela Holland, 79, a mother of three and grandmother of five, from Bristol said:
“I’m inspired to march and risk arrest by my grandson and whole family. Their determination has pushed me to read the research on climate breakdown, to understand the urgency for action and to try and adjust my lifestyle accordingly. As George Monbiot says, survival requires disobedience!”
Her daughter, Sophie Holland aged 52, a speech therapist and also a mother of three, said:
“I’m here because where else would I be? The world is disappearing before our eyes – flooded, burnt, species after species vanishing. Scientists are telling us, loud and clear, this is our last chance. The UN secretary general, the International Energy Agency, Sir David Attenborough, Chris Packham are all saying we are facing catastrophe if we continue to burn fossil fuels. Why isn’t everyone who has children, or knows children, or sees pictures of already displaced and starving children; on the streets, demanding change from our self-serving, criminal government?”