Just Stop Oil protesters blocked traffic on a major central London road on Wednesday morning, sparking rush hour commuter misery.
Around 32 activists with the group blocked Moorgate after marching through the City from Queen Victoria Street near Mansion House.
Shortly before 9am, Scotland Yard said it was aware of the protest and that it had ordered protesters to move out of the road as it was “causing serious disruption”.
The so-called Section 12 conditions are used when a senior officer believes it is necessary to prevent a procession from causing “serious public disorder, serious criminal damage or serious disruption to the life of the community”.
Just Stop Oil, whose supporters have been marching in the capital daily since April 24, said the conditions were a “bid to stifle legitimate dissent”.
However, activists appeared to comply with the condition and moved out of the road.
“At 09:09hrs, following the implementation conditions, the Just Stop Oil procession at Moorgate moved out of the road and onto the pavement,” said a Met spokesperson.
“The road is now clear and traffic is flowing.”
Moorgate this morning… #JustStopOil pic.twitter.com/ecsr3W1Lbm
— Tommy Smurthwaite (@ElmbridgeTom) May 10, 2023
A Just Stop Oil spokesperson said: “The Public Order Bill and specifically Section 12 notices are being used to remove the British public’s right to peacefully oppose government policies that threaten the lives of hundreds of millions of people.
“Marching has been an integral means of bringing about social change for centuries, be it for those seeking universal suffrage, those seeking to gain equality, or those seeking to make transport accessible for disabled people.”
The action came a day after the group’s activists walked slowly in front of traffic in Camden, holding up banners reading “Just Stop Oil”.
Police observed the protesters on their walk from Delancey Street to Chalk Farm via Camden Town but did not intervene.
The group is calling for an end to all new oil and gas licences.
One of those taking part in Wednesday’s protest, Jonathan Kennedy, 43, said: “New oil and gas licences at this point in history are an act of aggression against our children’s generation.”
The group’s brand of direct protest action has repeatedly caused disruption across London and led to arrests.
It estimates that since February 14 last year, some 2,100 arrests have been made in connection with the group’s activities.
