Written by Kearin Green, Illustrated by Rachel McDonagh
The name of the protest group, Just Stop Oil, is one which leaves a sour taste in many people’s mouths. This may be disheartening to those who hear the group’s cause rather than their actions. The sensible cause of the group is to convince the UK government to stop producing fossil fuels, instead converting to renewable energy to cut carbon emissions.
However, Just Stop Oil’s protest techniques have been widely condemned across the country. In the last year, the movement has become the face of public disruption rather than a movement with a critical cause. This is thanks to the movement’s primary protest method of sitting in the middle of busy roads, specifically in the London area, and blocking drivers from reaching their final destination. A massive complaint which has been aired across social media is how much the protest has affected certain people on the road, particularly those who have been unable to get to work because of the circumstances; a large issue for those who are paid by the hour.
Illustration by Rachel McDonagh
This form of protest has led to arrests and the imprisonment of several protestors. Videos have emerged of the public physically dragging protesters off the road by their arms, no matter how old, or violently screaming at protestors to move out the way.
The group have justified their radicalism by emphasising their desperation for reforms to be made, and the extent of extremism needed substantiate this.
On top of this, the group made international headlines this October when two young women caused a scene and were arrested at The National Gallery in Central London after throwing Heinz soup on Van Gogh’s original painting Sunflowers (1888). After throwing the soup at the painting, they proceeded to glue their hands to the wall below the painting and one of the protestors, Phoebe Plummer, asked the group of spectators: “What is worth more: art or life? Are you more concerned about the protection of a painting or the protection of our planet and people?” Her small speech- this idea of art being valued over life, and the overall logic that art can’t be made without life- resonated with many, including myself. All the paintings which have been ‘vandalised’ so far have been protected by glass, and only minimal damage has been done to the frame.
In the aftermath, the act was blasted by the public. Whilst some just called it flat-out ridiculous, many were angry at the damage done to the historical painting, not knowing about the glass case it was protected by. Other people defended Van Gogh, asking: ‘what did he ever do to you?’ Much criticism was aimed at the ‘dramatics’ of the situation and the outrage it would cause specifically due to Just Stop Oil’s reputation, from the volatile world of Twitter and other social media platforms to divided journalists, The extent of the protest form was even labelled ‘embarrassing’ by Robinson Meyer of The Atlantic.
Illustration by Rachel McDonagh
In contrast, Alejandro De La Garza of Times Magazine believes the art vandal movement is a stand-out considering the amount of attention and provocation it has caused in the public eye. He described the movement as a drastic escalation in order for Just Stop Oil’s demands to be heard and increase the likelihood of those demands being potentially met. He wrote: “None of these forms of radical protest have headlined internationally to the extent that this one has. They’re looking for some sort of action to come out of this that would break through the noise-something that won’t be forgotten”. De La Garza reported that when he spoke to protestors, they explained they’re pretty much willing to do anything to provoke attention and get their message across. “We know it’s ridiculous”, protestor Phoebe Plummer said in an interview in the aftermath of being sent to court for her misdemeanour. “I agree it is ridiculous. But we’re not asking the question of whether everybody should be throwing soup at paintings. What we’re doing is getting the conversation started so we can ask questions that matter.”
Just Stop Oil is the first climate organisation to make us examine how we protest against a problem as severe as climate change. We’ve had Greta Thurnberg, a hero in her own right, striking from school to get her message across; and consequently being teased by prominent leaders, proving why her voice is so important. However, she was never considered radical. This isn’t a bad thing, I praise Thurnberg immensely- it’s just really unfortunate that she hasn’t been listened to by those who have the capability to make real change. Just Stop Oil has done something extremely different to her. This isn’t an attempt to compare, just to show and demonstrate an alternate style of protest. The organisation, when asked, have referred back to protest movements such as the Suffragettes, gay rights, and all and beyond, and have cited how acts of disobedience historically secure results.
As activists continue to stress the need for reform in the use of fossil fuels and overall carbon emissions, they as a group have become a controversy in public opinion. Many people are opposed to them because of their radicalism, and are tempted to ignore their message, no matter how much logic they speak when not in action. It is undeniable that they have drawn attention to themselves and have earned themselves a bad reputation as a result.
How do we protest for the climate? Something which, no matter how bizarre it looks, in the present, may speak volumes in future history textbooks? Does peaceful protest, such as Martin Luther King Jr’s method, work in the long run? Or does aggressive protest, such as Suffragettes’, work more effectively?
As Just Stop Oil is expected to bring more disruption and chaos this upcoming Christmas season, we can only wait and see what happens- and do what we can ourselves to preserve our planet and formulate an effective plan to save the future of our climate.
About The Author: Kearin Green (she/her)
Hi, I’m Kearin and I am the magazine’s Welfare Officer! I am a second year Film Production student and am currently committed to using our support platform to give mental health a louder voice at our university. I also write about cinema, political issues, humour pieces and whatever comes to mind.
About the Illustrator: Rachel McDonagh
Rachel is a current student at the University of Portsmouth. She completed her BA in Animation in 2021 and is currently studying towards an MA in Illustration. She's incredible at getting started and not knowing when to stop. When she's not making something, she is usually thinking about what she'll make next!
(This piece was edited by Amber Turner-Brightman)
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