Activist group Insulate Britain have been blocking roads and motorways in the UK over the past month, causing misery for thousands of drivers.
The group have been accused of blocking ambulances from getting to their call-outs and with many disrupted motorists making their feelings known to the protesters.
While protesters did cease activity after a five-week campaign, they have warned motorists to avoid the M25 as their disruptive protests start back up across the half-term break.
But who are Insulate Britain and why are they demonstrating?
What is Insulate Britain?
Insulate Britain is an off-shoot of the climate change group, Extinction Rebellion.
Launched in August, their activism is focused on making the Government better insulate properties and reduce emissions.
According to their campaign site, the group demands the Government to fully fund and take responsibility for the insulation of all social housing in Britain by 2025.
On September 13, the group made their first demonstration on the M25, blocking off several junctions from 8am until around noon. At least 77 protesters were arrested as a result.
Since then, the group have gone on to demonstrate a total of 15 times, both on motorways and in busy London areas such as Canary Wharf.
Why are Insulate Britain blocking motorways and roads?
Through the disruption of a major motorway, Insulate Britain is attempting to draw attention to the scale of the climate crisis. the campaign is calling on the Government to better insulate properties and reduce emissions.
In a statement, Insulate Britain said: ‘We demand credible action now.
‘Proper jobs for hundreds of thousands of people to start the first real step – to insulate all the homes of this country – which pound for pound gives us the biggest reduction in carbon emissions.
‘It is a total no-brainer and yet this Government refuses to get on with the job. This is criminal negligence.’
On October 12, Insulate Britain tweeted: ‘All we want is for the government to start the process of reducing Britain’s carbon emissions in the most cost-effective way possible – by insulating Britain’s homes.’
However, some have branded their actions dangerous and has drawn heavy criticism from motorists, including lorry drivers with obligations to deliver goods.
Home Secretary Priti Patel – who has been accused of cracking down on protests through a controversial new policing bill, has slammed their actions as ‘selfish’.
More than 400 arrests have been made since the protests began, but the group is undeterred as many activists have returned after being released.
The climate demonstrations have also been prohibited by three High Court injunctions, which carry the threat of two-year prison sentences and unlimited fines.
The injunctions cover the M25, Port of Dover and major A roads around London.
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