The opening night of the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall and a live broadcast of Channel 4’s The Last Leg comedy show were both targeted by activists from the environmental group Just Stop Oil. During the Proms concert on Friday evening, two protesters stormed the stage, setting off confetti cannons and sounding air horns before being swiftly removed. Later that night, three activists interrupted The Last Leg, handing hi-vis orange vests to the show’s hosts.
According to Just Stop Oil, the Proms incident saw the demonstrators attempt to address the audience after unfurling banners. They were met with both boos and applause from the audience as they were escorted off the stage. The BBC, which airs the annual classical music event, stated that there was no disruption to the concert or the broadcast during the brief time the protesters were on stage. However, the broadcaster denied the use of air horns and confetti.
In a separate incident during the live airing of The Last Leg, three individuals wearing Just Stop Oil t-shirts entered the set and handed orange vests to the program’s stars. Host Adam Hills quickly clarified that this was not part of the show, and one protester even embraced Hills before the group was escorted off the stage. Just Stop Oil has been actively campaigning against new oil, gas, and coal projects, urging the government to halt the licensing of such ventures.
The Royal Albert Hall protesters were identified by Just Stop Oil as Kate Logan, a 38-year-old mother of two, and Pia Bastide, a 29-year-old community worker, both from London. Ms Bastide expressed her refusal to accept the selling away of her future in a statement, stating, “I refuse to accept that my future is being sold away, one new oil license at a time, and do nothing.”
Just Stop Oil has gained attention by disrupting high-profile events to draw attention to their cause. The group aims to raise awareness about the environmental impact of fossil fuels and advocates for the cessation of licensing for new oil, gas, and coal projects. The incidents at the Proms and The Last Leg mark the latest actions in their ongoing campaign.
