Protesters in London this week

CLIMATE change campaigners say they will not give up despite mass arrests at peaceful protests this week.

The Just Stop Oil group, which is demanding a halt to new oil, gas, and coal projects, have continued slow walks and sit-down demonstrations.

On Monday 62 supporters were arrested under a new section of the public order act after 10 minutes of marching around Parliament Square, and 31 were charged. On Wednesday 40 protesters were arrested during a slow walk in Cromwell Road, Kensington.

The government introduced legislation earlier this year that criminalises disruptive protests following outcry over the direct action from environmental groups.

The arrests came as Storm Ciarán battered Britain with fierce winds that the group said is evidence of further “extreme weather” events caused by climate change.

Rachel White 53, a mental health worker who was at the protest on Wednesday, said: “I have tried standing as a candidate for the Green Party, I have tried signing petitions, writing to MPs, attending COP26, but nothing’s changed. In fact it’s gotten worse, and so I can no longer be a bystander. I want my grand-daughter and grandson to know I tried to do something. I want them to know their grandmother was not complicit with the crimes of this government.”

Rebecca Narracott, 46, a teacher from Norwich, went to the march in defiance of legislation. She said: “I have three brilliant teenagers who I want to see grow and thrive in a healthy and safe world. But on our current trajectory, this will not be their reality. I am taking action this week because I am privileged enough to be able to, therefore it is my moral obligation to at least try. I am speaking out against our morally bankrupt and broken system of politics and governance; people have power and we must use our voices and bodies to say ‘not in our name.’ It’s time to take to the streets, join us on a slow-march. Sign up at juststopoil.org.”

The JSO group said that record sea surface temperatures are “driving the rapid intensification” of the storm which is expected to bring record rainfall, high winds and a high storm surge across the south coast of the UK.

It would be continuing its marches throughout November “until the government comes to its senses and ends new oil and gas”.

You can sign up to take part on the JSO website.

Section seven of the public order act allows officers to mark arrests if a protester “intentionally or recklessly interferes with the use or operation of any key national infrastructure. An arrest can be made if a protester disproportionately interferes with ‘road transport infrastructure’.”

The Metropolitan Police Service said in a statement that officers take into account “a person’s right to protest” before making an arrest.