The organization claims they have managed to prevent Britain from greenlighting additional oil and gas developments and plans to stage their final protest in London.

The British environmental activist organization Just Stop Oil announced on Thursday that they will cease their prominent climate protest activities following one last demonstration in London set for April.

“The group stated that it marked the end of soup being poured over Van Gogh paintings, cornstarch being applied to Stonehenge, and people slowly marching in the streets.” They claimed success in their primary objective of preventing Britain from authorizing additional oil and gas developments.

Launched in 2022, Just Stop Oil gained attention following a series of high-profile demonstrations where protesters embraced the organization’s distinctive orange hues to highlight the risks to our climate caused by greenhouse gases emitted from fossil fuels.

The stunts involved aiming at artworks such as those by Vincent van Gogh.
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using tomato soup and dusting the massive standing stones at Stonehenge with orange paint powder.

After making their mark three years ago with an explosion of orange, the group announced on Thursday that they plan to retire their high-visibility vests by the end of April.

The initial request from Just Stop Oil to halt new oil and gas developments has been adopted as government policy, positioning us among the most successful civil disobedience movements in modern times.

After assuming office in July 2024, the UK Labour administration has terminated new licenses for offshore oil and gas drilling in the North Sea and shut down Britain’s final coal-fired power station.

Just Stop Oil announced they will conduct their concluding gathering in London’s Parliament Square on April 26, and pledged to keep revealing the facts in courtrooms, advocate for those deemed as political prisoners, and highlight the UK’s stringent anti-protest legislation.

Many dozens of Just Stop Oil activists have been detained since the organization was established, with the group reporting that 15 members are presently behind bars.

Earlier this month, a London court reduced the five-year prison sentence handed down to Roger Hallam, the 58-year-old co-founder of Just Stop Oil, by one year. The original ruling was based on his alleged involvement in plotting to obstruct the M25 motorway during an online discussion.

Just Stop Oil announced during a phone call that they had altered their approach and were developing a new initiative, though they didn’t share specifics.

“The influence of corporations and tycoons tainting global political systems calls for an alternative strategy,” the statement read.

We’re developing a fresh approach to tackle this situation and fulfill our duties now. Only a transformative shift will shield us from the impending challenges.

Throughout the years, the activists’ antics have garnered criticism from lawmakers, law enforcement, and certain segments of the population.

“I am confident that many citizens will be pleased to learn they might cause fewer disruptions moving forward,” stated a spokesperson for UK Labour Party leader Keir Starmer during a press briefing on Thursday.

Nevertheless, he refuted the idea that the government had granted Just Stop Oil “a victory.”

He stated, ‘We have consistently maintained that both oil and gas will continue to be part of our energy landscape for many years ahead.’

Will McCallum, who serves as co-executive director at Greenpeace UK, defended his organization’s efforts.

“By speaking out during a period when politicians and corporations are attempting to quiet peaceful demonstrators both in public spaces and through legal means, Just Stop Oil has incurred significant consequences,” he stated.

We should not let our crucial right to demonstrate be taken from us, as it is the fundamental right upon which all others rely.

In October 2022, two Just Stop Oil protesters splashed canned tomato soup onto the protective glass at an exhibition.
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In November 2023, demonstrators shattered the protective glass shielding a Diego Velazquez painting at the National Gallery in London using hammers.

Last month, law enforcement officials detained 62 climate protesters in downtown London following their disruption of traffic during a “slow march” aimed at challenging the UK’s oil and gas policies.

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