London Marathoners fear “Just Stop Oil” protesters will disrupt Sunday’s race

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The London Marathon is under threat from protesters after Just Stop Oil raised fears of a chaotic summer of the sport.

After play was halted at the World Snooker Championship on Monday by dumping orange powder on a table, environmental campaigners promised continued disruption to major sporting events unless the government changed its oil and gas policy.

Marathon organizers are working with police to prevent disturbance and have received assurances that a separate environmental protest planned by Extinction Rebellion, which is expected to draw 30,000 people, will not target Sunday’s event.

However, after storming the Crucible stage in Sheffield on Monday, the Just Stop Oil group has raised concerns about both the London Marathon and the FA Cup this weekend, as well as upcoming major events such as Wimbledon, the British Open in golf and the Formula 1 British Grand Prix. 1. .

“There will be continued disruption until the government meets our demand to end new oil and gas,” the activist group said when asked about further disruptions to sporting events.

With the FA Cup semi-finals taking place on Saturday and Sunday in front of nearly 90,000 people at Wembley Stadium, the Metropolitan Police are carrying out major security operations this weekend. The marathon starts on Sunday morning, but the 50,000 field – plus friends, family and supporters – will descend on D.C. for the days of building up the race.

Extinction Rebellion had been planning “The Big One” – a four-day workday from Friday through Monday – for several weeks.

Extinction Rebellion admitted the event could cause “logistical disruption” but said it would “coexist” with the London Marathon, which raises millions of pounds each year for charity.

Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and the PCS Union have been named among groups planning to join the rally across Westminster and in the Houses of Parliament. Just Stop Oil are not listed on the Extinction Rebellion website.

Pressed on specific plans for Sunday, when four-time Olympic champion Mo Farah will be within the London Marathon field, Just Stop Oil added: “We will continue to disrupt sporting and cultural events until the institutions join us in civil resistance against genocide.” The government plans for a new oil and gas licence. “We expect there will be a lot of Just Stop Oil supporters at the London Marathon. If the polls are correct, about 60 per cent of London marathon runners support our demand for a new oil and gas stop.”

Hugh Brasher, Events Director for the London Marathon, has held discussions with Extinction Rebellion and warned spectators to avoid the Parliament Square area.

“The organizers of Extinction Rebellion have assured us that they do not wish to disrupt the TCS London Marathon,” he said. “As Parliament Square and the surrounding area will be very busy, we are advising spectators to view the London Marathon from other locations. As always, we are working closely with the Metropolitan Police and other stakeholders on the safety and security of the event.”

Meanwhile, Extinction Rebellion activists have vowed to “step up campaigning in new and innovative ways” unless the government halts the search for new fossil fuels and creates emergency citizens’ caucuses to allow people to quickly and fairly determine how to end the fossil fuel era. “.

The activists said the four days of protest, from Friday to Monday, were “not intended to disturb public order,” but promised a plan for “the greatest act of civil disobedience in the history of this country” within three months if their demands are not met. Monday at 5 p.m.

“We will take even more drastic action because the clock is ticking for every human and non-human alive today,” said the organizers of the Extinction Rebellion protest. “We will not stand by while time runs out and we all face the worst possible suffering.”

Fears of fresh vandalism come after animal rights activists disrupted the Grand National just two days before a Just Stop Oil activist covered a snooker table with orange paint.

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