Did Just Stop Oil succeed? Public weighs in as controversial protest group ends action

At the weekend, protest group Just Stop Oil held its last action, after announcing last month that they would be “hanging up the hi vis”.

A Just Stop Oil spokesperson said: “Just Stop Oil’s initial demand to end new oil and gas is now government policy, making us one of the most successful civil resistance campaigns in recent history. We know that resistance works and it’s needed now more than ever, so we’re just getting started.”

We’ve asked people across the UK whether they think Just Stop Oil’s protests have been successful.

Were Just Stop Oil successful?

In Leeds, one woman said: “In terms of the protests themselves, I think the message they needed to convey and wanted to convey was very clear and it's memorable, people know who they are and I think it was very effective in that respect.

“In terms of preventing traffic for example in some cases due to protests is not ideal for the majority public, however their protests were effective in that case.

“I think that what they are protesting for is important because it is important to understand the ethical side and unethical side of these big oil companies.”

Another woman said: “I think protesting for things that you think it's wrong is absolutely the way to go forward and it's wrong that laws against protesting have been put in place.”

In London, one woman said: “With art, maybe this is a way to attract people and to show the problem.

“To resolve the problem there should be more like on permanent basis steps, maybe some round tables with government where NGOs will collaborate with government closely, with scientists, with local business to find the best solution how to resolve this problem. But I don't think that to spread some things on art will help to resolve in general this problem.”

Another member of the public said: “I think that's a good way to show them what's happening because I guess obviously people do peaceful protests and it doesn't seem like it's moving as far as it should. So more could be done in regards to protests.”

In Manchester, one man said: “They're just a bit of a nuisance. Like, for example, you're sitting on the road, I'm sure there's people that have urgent business to attend to. I understand that they are very passionate about what it is that they're fighting for. But there's a way in which you go about that.”

Another member of the public said: “I don't think that any normal person's going to be particularly inconvenienced by powder being thrown on Stonehenge. I think stuff like that is, in that it's harmless and also makes a statement, is a good form of protest.”

In Birmingham, one member of the public said: “I didn't understand why they were attacking random paintings, I guess. I didn't follow them much, to be honest. I got what they were trying to fight for, but some of the bits didn't make sense.”

Another local said: “They went too far in certain ways, and I think instead of certain actions that they did, I think there needs to be more communication involved.”

A third said: “I kind of find it quite funny, some of the ways that they protested. I don't know if I necessarily agree. I think there are better ways to get their point across, but I'm glad to see that they're sort of hanging up their hi vis. But I sort of am for what they support.”