By Yvonne Deeney Community Reporter
Friday July 14, 2023
Sophie Holland from Ashley Down was arrested in London (Image: Just Stop Oil)
Two Bristol women have been arrested and charged after taking part in a Just Stop Oil “mums’ march” in London on Wednesday (July 12). Sophie Holland and Rowan Tilly, both from Ashley Down, were arrested alongside Rebecca Cassar from Bradford-on-Avon after police asked the group of protesters to move off the road and the three women refused.
The Metropolitan Police said they were called to 20 different Just Stop Oil protests taking place in the capital on Wednesday, which involved slow marching in roads across London. Holland and Tilly were in a group of 24 mothers from the West Country who were taking part in the slow march, holding up traffic on Shaftesbury Avenue.
Police arrested the women after issuing a Section 12 of the Public Order Act (1986) as amended by the Police, Crimes, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. Under the new legislation protesters can be arrested for disruption to "the carrying out of day-to-day activities" that are considered to be "more than minor."
The three women were arrested and charged with a breach of section 12. A statement from Met Police Commander Karen Findlay said: "In the majority of these responses, roads were cleared in under six minutes. Three people have been arrested for failing to comply with conditions after they refused to get out of the road."
Holland, 52, a speech and language therapist from Ashley Down, said prior to her arrest: “I am here for my three children. Their future is vanishing before my eyes with every week that our government does nothing to tackle the climate emergency. Stopping oil and gas licences is only the first step.
“I am also here in solidarity with hundreds of thousands of mothers in Somalia who are watching their children die in one of the worst humanitarian crises the world has ever seen. These scenes of starvation will be replicated in the UK before the end of this century unless we see radical action.
“I will not stay quiet while our children’s future is stolen. I know I will look back in five years and wish I had done more. It is life or death, and it is happening on our watch.”
After dispersing from the road the remaining protesters travelled to Hamleys Toy Store in Regent Street where some staged a protest outside, while others invaded the store holding signs saying, “what future for our children?” before they were escorted out by security.
Bristol mum Lora Johnson, 38, from Brislington who also joined the protest on Wednesday, said: “My son is an incredibly creative seven-year old who wants to be an artist and author when he grows up. And when I say that I'll always protect him, I know he understands me.
“The world that awaits him is terrifying, but I want Alex to know that I tried my hardest to stand up for him. I'm scared that it might be too little too late, but I can’t give up on him. I encourage all mothers everywhere to put your promises into action. Please join us and help protect your little ones too.”
Met Police Commander Karen Findlay said in a statement issued on Wednesday: "Today officers have been busy responding to further disruptive action from Just Stop Oil. We have received calls responding to 20 protests involving slow marching in roads across London.
"Officers attended 15 slow marches where 13 section 12 conditions were placed. At 5 other locations protesters had cleared the roads and left prior to police arrival.
"In the majority of these responses, roads were cleared in under six minutes. Three people have been arrested for failing to comply with conditions after they refused to get out of the road. We will continue to monitor ongoing protests and act as quickly as possible to keep disruption to Londoners to a minimum."