LONDON — Six people have been arrested after climate change activists climbed onto an oil tanker in central London to protest investments in fossil fuel, British police said Saturday.
The Extinction Rebellion climate activism group said two Olympic athletes — gold medal-winning canoeist Etienne Stott and Laura Baldwin — were among those protesting Friday. Friday’s mass climate protests saw thousands of people block four bridges in London, disrupting central London and causing disruption.
Extinction Rebellion said thousands of people are expected at London’s Hyde Park on Saturday for more protests.
Over 600 people were arrested in the last two weeks following environmental activists who climbed on top of oil tankers and then locked themselves onto structures to block roads leading to oil depots throughout the U.K. The group Just Stop Oil, which is affiliated with Extinction Rebellion, is demanding that Britain’s Conservative government stop any new oil and gas projects.
These demonstrations form part of an expanding climate movement. Insulate Britain has also obstructed roads and highways to push its demand that the government funds more energy-efficient houses. These demands are more pressing as the U.K.’s energy prices continue to rise.
A spokesperson for Shell said the company respects “the right of everyone to express their point of view –- we only ask that they do so with their safety and the safety of others in mind.”
“We agree that society needs to take urgent action on climate change. Shell has a clear target to become a net-zero emissions business by 2050, in step with society,” the spokesperson said.
Police in central England have charged nine individuals after Just Stop Oil protests at an oil terminal near Birmingham on Friday.
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