Oil Zealots Unwilling to Rule Out Disrupting Coronation: It’s Time to Put an End to It

A Just Stop Oil activist today suggested the eco-fanatics could disrupt the King’s coronation, saying they will do “whatever non-violently it takes to save us.”

Protester James Skeet was asked on Good Morning Britain if they would do “something disruptive” such as throw an object at Charles and Camilla’s carriage.

And Mr. Skeet, from Manchester, replied: ‘Just Stop Oil will do what is necessary non-violently. We will do whatever is necessary non-violently to save us.”

His comments come after the group expressed fears they could target the London event on May 6 by “liking” a map of the processional route on social media.

On the ITV program this morning, presenter Adil Ray asked Mr Skeet: ‘The coronation of the king is coming up, is that off limits? Would you do something disturbing there, throw something at the queen, at the king’s carriage?’

Mr Skeet said: ‘Just Stop Oil will do what is necessary non-violently. We will do whatever is necessary non-violently to save us.”

Mr Ray then added: ‘Wimbledon is coming up, will we see you at Center Court?’

And Mr. Skeet said, “I’m not a party to that information – I’ll probably find out if you do.”

Mr. Ray continued, “But it’s an option, it’s an option? Are you going to glue your hands to the desk?’

Mr. Skeet replied, “Look, I know it’s unpleasant, I know it’s awful to think about.” But we are headed for a collapse of civilization.

“When crops fail, people die and civilizations collapse. We need to connect emotionally with the reality of the situation. We are in the most critical situation we have ever seen.”

Just Stop Oil, which was behind the protest at the World Snooker Championships in Sheffield this week, never publicizes its stunts in advance, but there are fears the coronation may now be in the crosshairs.

Earlier this week, the group liked a Twitter post with a map of the route suggesting it could be the “final boss level” for Just Stop Oil.

In response, Just Stop Oil said: ‘Remember, in the UK you can now be arrested for planning a protest deemed to cause too much disruption.’

But a spokesperson for Just Stop Oil said the public “shouldn’t read too much” into the coronation tweet appreciated by the group online.

The anti-monarchy group Republic has also revealed plans to protest the coronation at the start and end of the route.

About 1,000 activists are expected to descend on the area around Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace, carrying signs reading ‘not my king’.

Republic claimed it had been assured that its protest “will not be disrupted by the Metropolitan Police.”

At the same time, authorities face a rival threat from a coalition of left-wing groups led by Extinction Rebellion (XR) that will flood central London with 30,000 supporters this weekend.

It is part of a four-day protest from tomorrow to Monday, which will include an event that will ‘cross’ the finish line of the London Marathon, where around 50,000 runners will complete the race, many raising money for charities.

Spectators have been urged to avoid the final stretch of the marathon route on Sunday as a minister said XR “should be stopped”.

A Just Stop Oil protester after jumping on the table and throwing orange powder at the World Championship in Sheffield on April 17

Gareth Johnson, Tory MP for Dartford, said: ‘The King’s coronation is a time for all the country to come together to celebrate. Any organization that tries to use it as an opportunity for protest and disruption will only create anger against them.

“People do care about the environment, but fanatical behavior by protesters that disrupts one of our country’s greatest traditions will only scare people away from environmental awareness.”

It stems from concerns that Just Stop Oil will try to cause further chaos at upcoming sporting events following their Monday night snooker protest at the Crucible in Sheffield.

Two FA Cup matches will be played at Wembley this weekend in front of tens of thousands of fans, as well as the London Marathon, while the Wimbledon tennis tournament could also be a target for activists.

Course director Hugh Brasher advised the public to ‘watch the marathon from other locations and avoid the area around Parliament Square on that day’ as the square and ‘immediate area’ will be ‘very busy’.

But Energy Secretary Grant Shapps XR wrote on Twitter: ‘The London Marathon is one of the largest charity fundraising events in the UK.

‘Extinction Rebellion seems to think creating mass disruption is a good idea – which you can’t believe! Those who put crazy millions into marathon donations must be stopped.’

Just Stop Oil is also not ruling out trying to sabotage the marathon and Mr Brasher revealed yesterday that he had spoken to the group to try and defuse any potential disruption.

The Metropolitan Police said officers have been in contact with XR ahead of the event and will “stay in touch with them” in an “attempt to avoid serious disruption and delays to London’s communities and the other events taking place in London.”

A spokesman said the force has a policing plan for the protests, adding: ‘People can expect a visible, engaging but forceful police presence to deal with criminal or anti-social behavior and disorder.

“In addition to a significant police response, we will deploy specialized officers to respond to protesters who lock themselves in or glue themselves to street furniture or purpose-built structures.”

Just Stop Oil was approached for comment regarding the coronation.

A spokesperson for the group said in response to possible plans surrounding the marathon: “We will continue to disrupt sporting and cultural events until sporting and cultural institutions join us in civil resistance to new oil and gas.

‘We don’t answer questions about our plans. Incidentally, opinion polls show that about 60 percent of the general public, including marathon runners and London Marathon spectators, support our demand to stop new oil and gas.”