Dale Vince, the main funder of Just Stop Oil, has issued a warning that the organization will hit more high-profile sporting events as part of its efforts to raise awareness and move people out of complacency amid the growing climate crisis. will be added to the list.
🎾 YESTERDAY: Wimbledon Disrupted Twice Despite Increase in Security
— Just Stop Oil (@JustStop_Oil) July 6, 2023
🚔 Airport-style security and undercover police weren't enough to stop 3 Just Stop Oil supporters disrupting Court 18 at #Wimbledon TWICE yesterday. pic.twitter.com/w84rn0b8yH
Recently, Just Stop Oil workers disrupted the Wimbledon tournament by running onto Court 18 on two occasions, causing delays by throwing confetti and jigsaw pieces onto the grass. Similar protests have taken place at the World Snooker Championship, the Rugby Union Premiership Final and the Ashes Test at Lord’s.
In an interview with The Guardian, Dale Vince confirmed that the group would continue to target sporting events, regardless of whether those sports actively emphasize their environmental credentials. The focus is on creating disruption and grabbing headlines rather than examining each game’s ecological stance.
While Dale Vince, who is also the chairman of Forest Green Rovers, insisted that he was not aware of Just Stop Oil’s specific future plans during the Wimbledon protests, he urged sports fans to take note. Admit that a shorter interruption in the play piles than the destructive one. Consequences of climate change.
Acknowledging that many sympathize with Just Stop Oil’s ideas but disagree with their disruptive methods, Vince asserts that a disruptive protest is all about gaining attention and driving change. is more effective than Simply chanting and waving placards on the side of the road is less effective than disrupting everyday life and challenging the status quo.
Vince emphasized that the most important message to address the enormous damage caused by climate change is the urgency, which is often sidelined. Without significant global changes and a change in the UK government’s approach, the crisis will continue to worsen. Vince highlighted the importance of getting people out of their “sleepwalking” and compulsive processes.
While the government has criticized Just Stop Oil’s disruptive tactics, Rishi Shankar, the prime minister, has expressed the government’s commitment to addressing the environment through policy decisions made by elected representatives rather than direct action protests. repeated
In response to the disruptions, Policing Minister Chris Phillips suggested that sporting organizations such as Wimbledon should increase the number of marshals and stewards to increase security. Philip also encouraged the use of injunctions to prevent certain acts during sporting events, with more severe criminal penalties for violating these injunctions.
In a recent court case, an Animal Rising activist who disrupted a Derby race was spared jail but received a suspended sentence and a fine for causing a public nuisance. The judge emphasized the danger to police and security personnel and urged caution to avoid possible harm.
