A Just Stop Oil protest took place yesterday near the red carpet of the BAFTA Film Awards.
Protesters at London’s Royal Albert Hall could be heard chanting “stop the oil” and beating drums as they were surrounded by police.
A statement from the group said 30 young supporters of the movement had disrupted the event to “demand an end to new UK fossil fuel projects”.
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The group wore T-shirts with the words “Just Stop Oil” and “Just Look up” in reference to the 2021 film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence on the climate change crisis satirized.
In a statement from the group, protester Claudia, 23, said: “I’m here to support Just Stop Oil because I’m so scared about our future.
“Last year, the former chief scientific adviser to the UK government warned us that what we do in the next three to four years will determine the future of humanity.
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“However, our government knows this and knows that continuing to support the oil industry is a death sentence for us all, but is still determined to drag us down this path of pain and destruction. And the mainstream media doesn’t care.
“So we are asking those with power and influence to use it, do what is necessary, and use their platforms to demand that the government stop the supply of oil. We must act as if our lives depend on it, because they do.”
Dillon Parsons, 20, an aspiring filmmaker at the University of Creative Arts, explained he didn’t want to spoil the BAFTAs, but felt he was “in danger” due to the climate crisis. “No choice”.
Rebellious
He added: “This is not a protest against Baftas or the film industry, nor is it a publicity stunt. We don’t care who wins what awards. This is a cry for help from the generation that has lost the most.”
Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency, has previously said: “If governments take the climate crisis seriously, there will be no new investments in oil, gas and coal from now on – this year.”
The BAFTA ceremony was held at the Royal Albert Hall, hosted by Hollywood actresses Rebel Wilson, Daniel Kaluuya, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh and Tom Hiddlers Dayton and other stars will present awards.
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Naomi Clarke is a PA entertainment reporter.
