By Emily Caulkett-
LONDON – Just Stop Oil (JSO) activists, known for their protests against gas and oil projects in the UK to combat the climate crisis, have been accused of blocking an ambulance with its “blue lights on” during a demonstration on Waterloo Bridge in London.
The Metropolitan Police have confirmed more than 40 arrests, as activists refused to clear the road, leading to traffic congestion.
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Police reported that the protest was causing significant delays on the bridge, including an ambulance with its emergency lights activated. Demonstrators slow-marched toward The Strand, prompting warnings from law enforcement.
In response to the accusations, JSO posted on X (formerly Twitter), suggesting that it was police officers who seemed to be obstructing the ambulance’s path “so they can blame it on a protest march going in the other direction.” Two photos shared by the Met showed the congested scene on the bridge.
The Metropolitan Police issued a statement, saying, “This is some of the congestion which JSO are causing on Waterloo Bridge. One of the vehicles is an ambulance on blue lights which is not able to get past. Officers are continually telling the activists to move out of the road so it can pass while making arrests.”
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Earlier in the day, police had warned activists engaged in a slow march on Waterloo Bridge that they would make arrests if the road was not cleared to continue their demonstration.
A group of five JSO activists, initially part of the protest on Waterloo Bridge, moved the slow march to The Strand, according to officers. The police later confirmed that all activists were out of the road, but the exact number of arrests will be confirmed in due course.
This incident follows the arrest of 44 JSO activists on Monday during protests in London. The charges include two individuals who allegedly damaged a painting at the National Gallery by smashing its glass cover.
Harrison Donnelly, 20, of Sillitoe Way, Nottingham, and Hanan Ameur, 22, of Hornsey Road, Islington, north London, were charged with causing criminal damage. The other 42 activists faced charges of obstructing the highway.
Monday’s protests had involved a slow march in Whitechapel, during which approximately 100 arrests were made, including some around the Cenotaph.
The campaign group had faced accusations of targeting the war memorial, which it denied, claiming that police officers had directed activists to the site after shutting down traffic on the road.
JSO’s overarching message remains a call on the government to halt all new gas and oil projects in the UK to combat the climate crisis. The group is currently conducting a four-week campaign of demonstrations, stirring debate and controversy across London.
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