UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman has threatened police action over "direct-action" protests, including Just Stop Oil. Just Stop Oil says climate change is an existential crisis for humanity and its straightforward strategy is justified.
Morgan Troland, one of the protesters, posted a clip of himself at the top of the bridge on Twitter
Two Britain's climate protesters on Monday built a large road bridge over the River Thames, causing huge traffic delays, days after activists threw tomato soup at Vincent van Gogh's "Sunflower" masterpiece.
Just Stop Oil protesters climbed more than 80 meters (260 ft) atop one of the towers of the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which is used by an estimated 160,000 vehicles a day and runs off one of Europe's busiest motorways. hooks up. An activist said he was protesting because the government's policies were intensifying the climate emergency
The closure caused major delays for motorists, for whom the bridge, known as the Dartford Crossing, was the only way to cross the Thames east of London. "Two men climbed High Cable this morning," Essex Police said on Twitter.
"The QEII bridge has been closed so that we can resolve the situation as safely as possible."
Morgan Troland, one of the protesters, posted a clip of himself at the top of the bridge on Twitter.
"I'm willing to do 'cause I'm not willing to sit back and watch everything burn," he wrote. The 39-year-old, who said he was a bridge design engineer, said he was forced to act because of government policies.
Our government has enacted suicidal laws to accelerate oil production - killing human lives and destroying our environment," he said. "I can't challenge this madness in my desk job, designing bridges, so I am taking direct action, occupying the QE2 bridge until the government stops all new oil."
Another protester, identified as 33-year-old teacher Marcus, said: "Only direct action will now help us reach the social tipping point we urgently need."
Police said the bridge, which is used for southbound traffic, was closed before dawn. Traffic was diverted through a tunnel under the river, which is normally only used for northbound traffic.
An Essex Police spokesman said: "The incident may take some time to resolve due to the complexities of bringing people down safely from a height."
The bridge, 30 kilometers (18 mi) east of central London, connects directly to the M25 London orbital route at both ends.
Two protesters appeared in court on Saturday, a day after tomato soup was thrown at a van Gogh painting at the National Gallery of London. According to the gallery in Trafalgar Square, the painting was protected by a screen, but the frame was damaged.
Also on Saturday, around 30 protesters from the group blocked a major road in east London after they affixed themselves to the tarmac.
UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman has threatened police action over "direct-action" protests, including Just Stop Oil. Just Stop Oil says climate change is an existential crisis for humanity and its straightforward strategy is justified.
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