LONDON (AP) – Dozens of climate change activists blocked streets outside parliament in London on Thursday, some sticking themselves to the ground as part of the group’s ongoing protest.
About 60 supporters of the Insulate Britain group sat on the ground holding banners blocking two streets around Parliament. Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle said it was “totally unacceptable” that the group was “interfering in democracy” because an MP was delayed in entering parliament to attend a session on transport.
Insulate Britain has held protests blocking roads and highways in London and the UK in recent weeks, demanding that the government improve the energy efficiency of heating people’s homes by 2030. The group has also targeted London’s financial district. Dozens of protesters have been arrested.
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Their protest has angered many motorists and officials have called their actions “unacceptable”, but the group has vowed to continue its “civilian resistance”.
Transportation Secretary Grant Shapps said Thursday that 475 injunctions have been given to the group’s protesters for contempt of court. The injunction means that protesters can be fined and jailed for blocking roads.
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“When it gets to the point that protesting against climate change prevents members of this House from coming here to answer and hear ministers, it is clearly counterproductive,” he said.
Paul Sheakey, a London protester, sticks himself to the sidewalk during Thursday’s protest.
“Unless we tackle this issue, the death and devastation that is going to happen is unimaginable,” he told reporters. “A little inconvenience now is a small price to pay to save lives in the future.”
