The public fights back against Just Stop Oil as mother pleads to let her ‘take her kids to school’

Members of the public fought back against Just Stop Oil protesters blocking roads with slow marches as tensions boiled over during Monday morning’s rush hour. 

Footage emerged of a furious mother pleading with protesters: ‘I need to get my kids to school!’ as around 75 eco-zealots slow marched in the capital.

‘Four of them I’ve just left on the f***ing bus,’ she said. ‘Four of them, and one’s four months. You lot are taking the p***.’

She added: ‘You can [for] 30 seconds let the bus go past. That’s all I’m asking, for 30 seconds. This is ridiculous.’

But undeterred activists, who are entering their seventh week of slow-march protests in London, refused to get out of the way – prompting drivers to beep their horns. 

Other dramatic footage showed frustrated commuters ripping Just Stop Oil banners from protesters’ hands as motorists trying to pass blared their horns.

Another clip also captured the moment an angry motorcyclist revved his engine and drove through activists blocking the road in Redbridge, east London.

The eco demonstrators tried to stop the rider but there was no holding him back, and he ripped through one of the signs held up by activists on the A12 in Gants Hill, near Colchester. 

Met Police confirmed they were at the slow march in Redbridge, one of numerous locations descended upon by protesters this morning, and quickly cleared the road.

Another clip showed an angry motorcyclist shouting ‘scumbags’ as he drove past.

Met Police said this morning: ‘Police are at the scene of a slow marching Just Stop Oil #protest in Gants Hill along the #A12. 

‘Officers imposed Section 12 conditions on those involved at 08.56hrs. Within two minutes the road was cleared.’

They also tweeted: ‘At 08:03hrs, Monday 5 June, we were notified of Just Stop Oil #protesters walking slowly in the road along the #A13.

‘We arrived on scene at 08.19hrs and Section 12 conditions were issued on those involved at 08.20hrs.

‘The road was cleared at 08.26hrs.’ 

At 8am, around 75 Just Stop Oil supporters, in four groups, began marching in West, East and South London.

One team on Gunnersbury Lane in Chiswick was led by eight doctors

Two activists were arrested in Kennington Lane, Vauxhall, south London, shortly after police ordered them to move out of the road.

One of those arrested this morning, Aaron Gunning, spoke to camera: ‘I’m Aaron. I’m 24 years old, I just graduated in physics last year.

‘I’ve been arrested here for peacefully marching in the road for about five minutes, before the police swooped in and started grabbing people, arresting me for demanding some level of action on the climate crisis, and now here I am in handcuffs.’

Met Police said: ‘Section 12 conditions were issued to Just Stop Oil #protesters blocking the road in Kennington Lane. The majority of those involved moved out of the road after conditions were imposed. 

‘Two people were arrested for failing to comply with the conditions imposed.’

It comes as Just Stop Oil supporters  started their seventh straight week of marching through central London, having marched six days a week since April 24. 

They are demanding that the Government halt all licences and consents for new oil, gas and coal projects. 

Protester Pia Baas, 29, a community worker from London, said: ‘I am using my democratic right to protest, slowly marching down the street. I am fulfilling my moral and civic obligations, that is, to resist a Government that is determined to sell away our futures for the profits of billionaires and fossil fuel companies.

‘I am terrified of the imminent social and environmental collapses we are hurtling towards.

‘This Government chooses to ignore the science, ignore its people and ignore the solutions available. I choose to say No. Not in my name. ‘

Yesterday it was revealed that Just Stop Oil activists could be stripped of driving licences under a new crackdown.

Judges could be given new powers to suspend motoring rights for those who breach public order laws.

The plans come amid mounting fury at protests by the environmental group, including slow walking on major roads to bring traffic to a standstill. 

It is understood the mooted policy could be used against anyone who breaks public order legislation.

However, ministers hope it will be targeted at environmental zealots.

A government source said: ‘These hypocritical eco zealots would hate to get a taste of their own medicine.

‘If their own journeys were kiboshed, they might think twice about disrupting everyone else’s lives.’ 

The law has already been changed to enable officers to act ‘immediately’ to get protesters out of the road or arrest them.