Protest group Just Stop Oil have announced they are to disband at the end of April, but not before protesting Donald Trump’s oil and tariffs.
The distinctively orange protesters have become known for soup throwing, blocking traffic and disrupting sporting events, but are now set to end their eye-catching demonstrations.
A group of protestors grouped outside the US embassy near Vauxhall today in order to protest imminent tariffs on the UK being imposed by Donald Trump.
Robin Wells, director of Fossil Free London, who was at the protest said: “The UK must unchain ourselves from the bully boy tactics of states gone rogue, and invest in a stable energy supply for our future.”
Just Stop Oil say they are disbanding due to achieving the aim of stopping new licences being administered by the UK government for all new oil, gas and coal projects.
However, they say that UK reliance on US energy sources is far too high and leaves us exposed to Trump’s unpredictable trade and tariff prices.
In 2023, US oil and gas made up 23.5% of UK fuel imports and since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, US gas makes up 26% of energy imports according to the ONS.
Protestors chanted: “Tangerine in a toupee! We won’t buy Trump’s oil, no way!”
A man wore a Donald Trump mask and held up a stormtrooper from the popular film franchise Star Wars, a nod to the imperialist reputation of the new Trump presidency.
Wells added: “The only way we can shield ourselves from price shocks is by funding and growing our local renewable sources and that needs to start today.”
Energy secretary, Ed Miliband has come under further scrutiny with energy bills increasing by £111 from the 1 April.
Miliband has been urged by MPs to make Britain more energy independent and resilient against global incidents such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Despite Keir Starmer’s positive visit to the White House in February, the chance for tariffs from Trump are increasing and Just Stop Oil and Fossil Free London are conscious of this.
Wells said: “Claims we have a special relationship with the USA are pure gaslighting right now.
“We’re being bullied by the USA, and, as ever our leaders are lapping it up.”
The Government have said they are working through every eventuality in regard to tariffs and won’t react without due consideration of the issues at hand.
Featured image credit – Fossil Free London
