Two Just Stop Oil protesters caused major disruption by climbing the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge masts over the River Thames, resulting in the closure of the key toll bridge connecting Essex and Kent for more than 36 hours.
Morgan Trowland, 39, and Marcus, 33, a teacher, dangled more than 200 feet above the Thames from the bridge’s towering masts. Police confirmed the activists scaled the landmark in the early hours of Monday, prompting a full shutdown of this vital route.
Authorities deployed a specialist raised platform on Tuesday to reach the pair and negotiate their safe removal. By 5pm, the protesters ended their stunt, claiming they had achieved a “successful disruption of oil supplies to Kent and the South East for 36 hours.”
After being brought down and arrested, the activists remained defiant. The London-based couple said, “We are stepping down now, but other supporters of Just Stop Oil will be stepping up day after day, causing disruption and putting their liberty on the line.”
Morgan Trowland defended the protest, telling Sky News, “Many will be angry, but look at history. The Suffragettes and Martin Luther King were once reviled too. Only direct action can spark the social tipping point we need.”
Commuters faced significant delays as the standoff continued. When questioned about the disruption, Morgan said, “I know it’s frustrating, but think about the 33 million people in Pakistan displaced by floods caused by the climate crisis, fuelled by oil and gas developed here in Britain. I’m not sorry for trying to protect my people’s land.”
Just Stop Oil has vowed to increase “nonviolent civil disobedience” this autumn until the government cancels new oil and gas licences it describes as “a death sentence.”
Essex Police reported officers responded to the bridge at 3.50am on Monday following reports of the climb. Morgan admitted he nearly “bottled it” on the first step but continued with the protest.
The Dartford Bridge remains closed as National Highways assess when to reopen this critical route. The protest has once again highlighted the ongoing conflict between environmental activists and the UK’s energy policies.
Originally published by UKNIP.
