A vicar from Dorchester has been among 90 South West Just Stop Oil supporters causing disruption in central London this week.

Teams of Just Stop Oil supporters from the South West region have been slow marching in Central London every day this week, demanding that the UK government end all gas, coal, and oil projects. 

These marches are taking place against a backdrop of escalating global climate disasters, including record-breaking floods in Italy, soaring temperatures in Spain and devastating wildfires in Canada.

Closer to home, the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service has been urging the public not to light barbecues or campfires during the current warm spell, as dry conditions increase the risk of wildfires. It also revealed that Dorset wildfires increased by 429% last year.

Just Stop Oil teams from across the country have been marching six days a week since April 24 in a bid to gas, coal, and oil projects that are contributing to climate change issues.

Among those marching in London this week is the Reverend Jonathon Herbert, 61, a Church of England vicar from Dorchester.

He said: "My faith calls me to act in the face of the extreme threat to life caused by our addiction to fossil fuels. To be opening a new coal mine and drilling for more oil is an extreme act of folly – and a betrayal of future generations. 

"I've tried protesting in so many ways over the years, but things have only gotten worse. To follow my calling as a Christian means I must stand in resistance against this government's criminal plans." 

The Reverend Herbert was joined by Marcus Fidge, 53, a teacher and father of two from Bournemouth, who commented:"I'm stepping up as a father of two to say enough is enough. The stakes are too high. 

"As the UN Secretary General says, we need to change or die – and we need to start doing that right now. Not tomorrow, next month or next year when there's a general election. It has to be now. 

"People across the world are already dying, millions more will die if we continue to extract new oil and gas. We're almost out of time. I call on every last person who cares to resist this government's genocidal policies and join a Just Stop Oil march at midday every Saturday at Parliament Square." 

Since the Just Stop Oil campaign launched on February 14 2022, there have been more than 2,100 arrests and 138 people have spent time in prison, many without trial.

There are currently two Just Stop Oil supporters serving three year prison sentences for resisting new oil, gas and coal.

A spokesperson for Just Stop Oil said: "We stand with these political prisoners, with the 1,800 victims of the UK's broken criminal justice system, imprisoned for over a year without trial, and with the 1,700 murdered across the global south, for protecting all our lives.

"Normal people must come together to resist this criminal government and hold them to account for their genocidal policies.

"Just Stop Oil is calling on everyone to get off the sidelines and join in civil resistance against new oil, gas and coal.

"The time is now. Join us and slow march while you still can. Our indefinite campaign of civil resistance is underway and will not end until our government makes a meaningful statement halting new fossil fuel projects in the UK."

Find more details at https://juststopoil.org/