Thu Mar 27 13:38:55 UTC 2025: ## Just Stop Oil Ends High-Profile Protests After Claiming Victory

**London, UK** – The British environmental activist group Just Stop Oil announced Thursday it will cease its controversial high-profile climate protests after a final demonstration in London on April 26th. The group, known for its dramatic stunts such as throwing soup at Van Gogh’s Sunflowers and disrupting traffic with slow marches, claims its initial goal – halting new oil and gas projects in the UK – has been achieved.

Founded in 2022, Just Stop Oil rapidly gained notoriety through its attention-grabbing actions designed to highlight the climate crisis. These tactics, while effective in raising awareness, also drew criticism from politicians, police, and the public.

The group attributes the policy shift to the Labour government, which came to power in July 2024. Since then, the government has ended new oil and gas exploration licenses in the North Sea and closed Britain’s last coal power plant. Just Stop Oil asserts this makes it “one of the most successful civil resistance campaigns in recent history.”

Despite its success, the group acknowledges the costs. Dozens of its members have been arrested, with 15 currently jailed. Earlier this month, the sentence of co-founder Roger Hallam, convicted of conspiracy to cause public nuisance, was reduced from five years to four.

While ending its disruptive tactics, Just Stop Oil plans to continue its activism through legal challenges, advocating for political prisoners, and opposing what it calls “oppressive anti-protest laws.” The group is also developing a new strategy, details of which remain undisclosed.

The government’s response has been mixed. While a spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed relief at the reduced disruption, he denied that the government had conceded to Just Stop Oil’s demands, stating that oil and gas will remain part of the UK’s energy mix for decades.

Environmental groups, however, have offered their support. Will McCallum, co-executive director of Greenpeace UK, defended Just Stop Oil, highlighting the price paid by activists for their actions and emphasizing the importance of the right to protest. The debate over Just Stop Oil’s methods and their impact on climate policy continues.

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