Climate group JustStopOil has announced an end to its protests at public spaces after a new UK climate bill.
On Thursday, the group announced that it would end its demonstrations directly targeting art galleries and other public places of cultural significance. The decision comes ahead of a new climate bill adopted as law by the UK parliament earlier this month. Under the new law, no new license would be given to oil and gas projects that were not approved prior to the passing of the bill. This would mark a significant shit towards reduction of non-renewable energy in the UK.
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JustStopOil also announced that it would hold a final demonstration outside the UK parliament on April 26. This would mark an end to nearly three years of stunts and demonstrations that grabbed headlines and made the group notorious across the world. Some of the most daring acts by the group included throwing soup at Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, and spraying paint on the Stonehenge. The actions drew polarizing views from the people. While some praised the group’s efforts towards bringing focus on climate change, others criticized their tangential actions of damaging artworks that had no relation to climate change. Many JustStopOil involved in such vandalism were arrested; while most were released immediately, a few drew prison sentences and fines. The group also proved to be inspirational as many other environmentalists did similar attacks on artworks across the world – particularly in Europe and the US. The group did not mention if its affiliated groups would also halt their attacks elsewhere in Europe or continue to do so.
