Protesters from Insulate Britain clashed with angry motorists in Essex last week, including a mother who berated activists for stopping her from driving her 11-year-old son to school.
Lorry drivers blasted their horns and a female protester was nearly run over by a frustrated motorist as the environmental campaign group blocked roads for a 13th time on Wednesday morning.
A female protester was almost run over after stopping in front of a blue Hyundai car, and was berated by the driver who told her “This is stupidity”.
Some members of the group were dragged off the road multiple times by drivers, who pulled their backpacks and clothing, after immediately returning to their spots and sitting down again.
Footage shows one woman get out of her black Range Rover and argue with those gathered around her car.
“Move out of the f****** way, my son needs to get to school,” she told demonstrators.
Insulate Britain
“I don’t care what the f****** issue is. My son is 11 and he needs to get to school today, so move out of the way and let me get him to school.”
Police later arrived and removed more protesters from the roads.
Essex Police said they had made a total of 35 arrests at the scene and acknowledged the frustration faced by motorists.
Around 20 protesters blocked the junction of St Clements Way and London Road, forcing multiple vehicles including HGVs to stop and turn round.
Motorists ripped banners out of the hands of demonstrators as they sat or laid down in the road.
Others had glued themselves to the carriageway, causing long queues of cars.
Responding to the incident, Essex Police said: “We are currently on scene and have made arrests following reports of people blocking the slip road of the M25 in Thurrock.
“We received reports of people on the road at junction 31 shortly after 8.25am today.
The force later tweeted: “35 people have now been arrested after we responded quickly to reports of roads blocked in #Thurrock.
“16 people were arrested at J31 of the #M25 while 19 were arrested in Stonehouse Ln, #Purfleet.
“All roads are now open. Thank you for your patience and understanding.”
