Just Stop Oil Activists Arrested During Protest Outside Parliament

Eco-campaigners Just Stop Oil (JSO) staged a protest outside the UK Parliament on September 2, 2026, coinciding with Prime Minister Andy Burnham's debut at Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs). The group, which previously announced it would cease protests after the government agreed to halt new oil and gas licenses, blocked traffic in Parliament Square around lunchtime. Metropolitan Police officers responded, arresting at least 47 of the approximately 60 activists present after they sat in the road. JSO reported that several activists had glued themselves to the tarmac. Protesters displayed large banners and wore orange high-visibility vests. JSO has faced criticism for previous disruptive actions, including blocking roads and performing stunts at notable locations. In 2023, policing costs related to their protests reached nearly £20 million, with 3,300 arrests and 180 individuals jailed. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police stated that they were called to address the disruption and were engaging with the protesters. The police confirmed that 47 individuals were arrested on suspicion of public order offenses. JSO resumed protests amid rumors of potential new drilling approvals in the North Sea by the Burnham government. The group emphasized the urgency of their demands, citing a UN report indicating the world is on track for significant temperature increases due to climate change. Trish Fitzmaurice, a protester, expressed concerns about the climate crisis, stating that fossil fuel consumption poses a grave threat to humanity. The Metropolitan Police has been approached for further comments.