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Just Stop Oil to end disruptive climate protests

Louis Oelofse with AFP, Reuters
March 27, 2025

The climate protest group that rose to prominence due to a series of high-profile demonstrations has said it is switching tactics, marking "the end of soup on Van Goghs."

Just Stop Oil protesters glued themselves to Museum wall and then threw tomato soup at Vincent Van Gogh's famous iconic 1888-9 art work 'Sunflowers' in 2022
In one of the more high-profile protests, young soup throwers glued themselves to the gallery wall before being arrestedImage: Just Stop Oil/ZUMAPRESS.com/picture alliance

Just Stop Oil announced on Thursday that they are ending their campaign of climate protests.

"So, it is the end of soup on Van Goghs, cornstarch on Stonehenge, and slow marching in the streets," the environmental activist group said in a statement.

Despite its controversial tactics, the group said it was "one of the most successful civil resistance campaigns in recent history."

The group said its decision came after the British government made ending new gas and oil projects official policy.

High-profile protests

Founded in February 2022 in the United Kingdom, Just Stop Oil gained prominence through disruptive protests, including blocking roads, halting sports and theater events, and vandalizing art.

In the last few months, its activists have poured liquid latex over a robot at a Tesla store, sprayed orange powder on Stonehenge, and painted over the grave of British naturalist Charles Darwin at London's Westminster Abbey.

Stonehenge is one of the UK's most visited tourist spots and a UNESCO World Heritage SiteImageImage: Just Stop Oil/PA Media/picture alliance

Critics have condemned their sometimes-illegal activism methods, which have led to the imprisonment of some activists.

"Just Stop Oil will continue to tell the truth in the courts, speak out for our political prisoners, and call out the UK's oppressive anti-protest laws," the group said.

The group plans one final Just Stop Oil action in Parliament Square next to the British Parliament in April.

After that, they say they will continue their "civil resistance" in a different way.

"We are creating a new strategy to face this reality and to carry our responsibilities at this time," the group said.

In 2023 protesters from the group interrupt an Ashes Test match at Lord'sImage: Mike Egerton/AP/picture alliance

Edited by: Wesley Rahn

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