Just Stop Oil protesters blocked traffic in Bristol as part of a demonstration today (March 18). Around 60 campaigners took part in the city centre protest where they "marched slowly".
Activists gathered at Queen Square at around 1pm to "demand that ministers stop investing in fossil fuel extraction". The group's spokesman posted on Facebook: "Enough is enough. Stand against this failing regime."
Protesters walked slowly along roads in the city centre. They also blocked traffic including four buses at Redcliffe Bridge.
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The slow march tactic was first deployed in London last November and is now being rolled out across the country. Campaigners say the tactic is protected by Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights and they say they have rehearsed "blue light drills" in advance in an effort to mitigate delays for emergency services.
A spokesman for the group said: "We are aware that our actions will inconvenience some people going about their daily lives and businesses and we are sorry about that. But these inconveniences are nothing compared to the disastrous disruptions which will follow if we continue our reckless acceleration down ‘the highway to climate hell’."
Dr Patrick Hart, 37, from Knowle, Bristol said more and more people in healthcare are becoming concerned about the climate crisis. He said:"I'm a doctor. I’ve taken this action because we can see no other choice. Right now, the climate crisis is killing people and will kill countless more in the years to come. Lets stop making this worse and end new oil and gas."
Professor Harriet Bradley, 77, from Cotham, added: "We also need every British citizen to consider the costs of our addiction to oil: the catastrophe of climate change, the pollution of our planet and the loss of wildlife habitat.
"The past year has seen record temperatures in Britain, and catastrophic floods and wildfires around the world: as the polar ice continues to melt our coastlines are under attack. To save our beautiful country for our children and grandchildren we must change the way we live."
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