Campaigners slow-marched through Kensington yesterday (Thursday) resulting in police arrests

DEGREES and careers are meaningless to students because of the coming climate catastrophe, students warned as they marched in defiance of a police crackdown on protests.

Seventeen Just Stop Oil members slow-walked through Kensington yesterday (Thursday) before being arrested by around 50 police officers.

So far this month 532 people have been arrested while marching through central London.

Noah Crane, 18, who was remanded to HMP Wandsworth, said: “We young people have been so conditioned into pursuing fancy degrees and careers above all else that we’ve forgotten to ensure those things mean anything.

“When I think about the situation we are in, I realise we are faced with a choice. Either we can sit back and watch the government commit mass genocide, or we can do everything in our power to prevent it.”

The previous day another 66 Just Stop Oil supporters were arrested in Cromwell Road, Kensington.

The government has introduced extra court sessions running until 8pm because of the additional cases.

But lawyers are resisting saying they do not have to work beyond the usual court day.

Just Stop Oil is campaigning against expansion of drilling for oil and gas reserves that they say will “bring about the wholesale destruction of ordered society and an end to the rule of law”.

The group is meeting tomorrow (Saturday) next to Jubilee Gardens, by London Eye for its next protest.

In response to the protests earlier in the week, Met Commander Colin Wingrove said: “We want officers in our communities to be that reassuring presence. Instead, we are having to remove some of them to arrest and transport 115 activists to custody.

“Protest is a fundamental part of democracy and something we are proud to uphold. However, Just Stop Oil is openly encouraging people to break the law and causing criminal damage which we will not tolerate.”