Just Stop Oil (JSO) joined forces with pro-Palestine protesters as they marched through the streets of London this weekend to call for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Over 200,000 demonstrators marched through the capital in the first major demonstration of 2024, with the Met Police confirming that it had to make six arrests.
Wearing fluorescent orange hi-vis jackets, the eco-activists joined in the action by wielding placards and holding banners as they walked alongside pro-Palestine protesters on Saturday.
JSO shared footage of their involvement in the march on social media, with the caption: “Supporters of Just Stop Oil have joined the March for Palestine today in London.
Just Stop Oil protesters now say they want Free Palestine as they link up with Gaza activistsTwitter/Getty
“Just Stop Oil stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people as the Israeli government commits genocide in Gaza.”
The Met Police and other police forces mobilised around 1,700 officers ahead of the weekend, amid fears that the escalating tension in Yemen due to the Houthi rebels blocking the Red Sea could see a rise in demonstrators storming the British capital.
The march came just days after the UK and US carried out airstrikes against Iran-backed rebels in Yemen.
It began at around midday on Saturday on Queen Victoria Street and ended in Parliament Square.
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The Met Police deployed hundreds of officers in order to try and ensure that there was no trouble at the march
MET POLICEWriting on social media, the police forece said that multiple arrests had to be made: “Two for offensive placards, one for being in possession of stickers to be used for criminal damage and the three arrested under the Terrorism Act.”
Prior to the march, warnings were issued which cautioned protesters from wielding any placards deemed to be antisemitic. They said that those who choose to carry such signs will have them confiscated and could potentially be arrested.
This was the seventh pro-Palestine march held in London following the October 7 attacks which kickstarted the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
In a statement issued on Friday ahead of the action, the Met Police said: “The majority of protests and other events held in recent months have taken place without any notable disorder, with most people attending to express their views in a lawful and peaceful way.
“Regrettably not everyone has acted responsibly and we have seen multiple arrests at a number of protests.
Just Stop Oil activists caused widespread disruption across the UK last yearJust Stop Oil“In particular, there have been repeated examples of placards, banners and other items being carried or worn, or statements being chanted, that have crossed the line into religiously or racially aggravated offences.
“Some have even been so serious as to be dealt with under the Terrorism Act.”
They said that their Counter Terrorism Command has launched 30 investigations into protests since October 7, with the majority relating to potential terror offences.
Last week, Just Stop Oil met with Met Officers to discuss relations between the two organisations going forward.
The group caused significant disruption across the UK last year, which the group claims resulted in Commander Kyle Gordon requesting that “Just Stop Oil come forward and speak with us, so we can actually work with them”.
JSO claimed that the two had entered into negotiations regarding the investigation of several individuals – one being Rishi Sunak - they claim to be responsible for “genocide crimes” relating to oil usage.
However, the Met did not confirm they were in negotiations with JSO, emphasising their impartiality in a new statement.
The force said they embraced the opportunity to meet with members of the environmental group, they were keen to stress that it was not the Met’s role to enforce any changes to laws, as JSO aims to do.