Furious drivers have clashed with Just Stop Oil activists as they staged a sit down protest blocking the road near Harrods in Knightsbridge on Tuesday morning.
Thirty-two Just Stop Oil protesters established three road blocks at the junction of Knightsbridge and Brompton Road at 10am, stopping traffic in both directions, with some gluing themselves to the Tarmac.
Dozens of police were on the scene on the A4 within minutes but were unable to stop angry drivers remonstrating with protesters.
One screamed: “I’m driving a lady who has to get to hospital with a baby” while another shouted “I’ve got to get a flight just move”.
An American tourist trying to get to Heathrow shouted at the protesters: “Our trip to London has been ruined by you.”
A video circulating on social media showed a van driver forcing his way through the line of protesters, while a taxi driver was also seen nudging his way through, breaking a blockade of activists as he furiously argued with them.
A fire engine on its way to an emergency was also seen struggling to pass through a nearby road because of the congestion caused by the blockades, while one man tried to drag protesters out of the road.
As of 11.30am, police had begun arresting demonstrators and dragging them away from the road blockade. The sit-ins had been dispersed by midday.
The Met confirmed on Tuesday afternoon a total of 28 protesters were arrested on suspicion of wilful obstruction of the highway.
They have been taken to a number of central London custody suites, Scotland Yard said in a statement.
The Knightsbridge sit-ins are the latest in a string of demonstrations Just Stop Oil is carrying out in London throughout October, in a bid to cause disruption and force the Government to halt its consent for all new oil and gas licences.
🚨 BREAKING: KNIGHTSBRIDGE AND BROMPTON ROAD BLOCKED 🚨
— Just Stop Oil ⚖️💀🛢 (@JustStop_Oil) October 11, 2022
At 10am, 32 supporters of Just Stop Oil established 3 road blocks on Knightsbridge and Brompton Rd, stopping traffic in either direction. Some have glued on. All are expected to be arrested.#FreeLouis #FreeJosh pic.twitter.com/JDIe09PQ5J
On Sunday, protesters blocked Piccadilly Circus while Saturday saw them block traffic in Baker Street. The action over the weekend led to 71 people being arrested.
Monday saw protesters stage a sit-in in The Mall, blocking the road near Buckingham Palace. Twenty-five people are believed to have been arrested.
