Just Stop Oil (JSO) activists trying to block roads in London were surrounded by a group of what appeared to be counter-protesters wearing T-shirts with the slogan “Just Stop P---ing Everyone off”.
Footage shows the environmental protesters sitting on the floor, encircled by a group of 15 to 20 people standing around them while they try to explain why they are slow marching in the capital.
The video was shot in Elephant and Castle, south London, by JSO. The organisation later said the counter-protesters dispersed at 9.40am, after a debate of about 30 minutes.
A JSO spokesman said the encounter ended cordially, and that while the counter-protesters “didn’t understand the necessity in the mechanics of society for social disruption’, the two sides “were broadly in agreement”.
The footage shows a woman in the middle of the eco-activists saying through a megaphone: “We do agree about the same things but we have that sense of urgency. We do this out of love and out of desperation because this government does not have our best interest at heart – quite the opposite.”
One of the JSO protesters then attempts to get past the counter-demonstrators encircling the group, prompting one person to say: “Let them through, we’re not keeping them hostage. You are very welcome to leave at any point.”
The JSO protesters then ask the group how long they are going to keep them there for, adding: “What’s your plan, because when you leave we’re going to go on the road again.”
“Yeah but rush hour will be over”, a counter-protester replies. Another says: “There’s an election this time next year. If you don’t like this government, why don’t you stand for election?”
A JSO protester then asks the counter-demonstrator if they think standing for election is the best way to get their views across. “Democracy? It’s served Western civilisation pretty well.”, the anti-JSO protester says.
The JSO protesters said they were happy the group had come to disrupt their demonstration because it gave them a chance to debate.
There was speculation that the counter-protest may have been a stunt carried out by JSO to allow it to explain to the public why it is carrying out the slow marches, but the organisation insisted they were “nothing to do with us”.
The counter-protest group has no online presence but amassed considerable support on social media from those critical of JSO. Many users shared a link to purchase the “Just Stop P---ing Everyone Off” T-shirt online. It imitates the style and orange colour of JSO T-shirts.
A separate group of protesters were filmed being “pushed” on Cromwell Road by a bus that sounded its horn continuously while driving slowly into the activists despite the march blocking the road.
It comes a day after a JSO protester was assaulted by a motorist who was involved in a car crash with a pregnant woman next to a slow march on the same stretch of road.
Daniel Knorr, 21, was punched and kicked by a man who claimed he was being recorded at the scene of the protest. Speaking after the assault, Mr Knorr said: “I haven’t said anything to the police and I don’t plan to, but I’m afraid that the police might go after this man.”
Last month, Mr Knorr was carried off the pitch at Lord’s by the England cricketer Jonny Bairstow after activists momentarily disrupted play in a Test match against Australia.
Mr Knorr was charged with trespass along with Judith Murray, 69, and Jacob Bourne, 26. They are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on July 31.