The Great Hall, a building owned by the University of Leeds was sprayed on 12 October by Sam Holland, a Human Geography and Economics graduate and active member of Just Stop Oil. This was part of a larger protest happening in the area and Sam was arrested by local police shortly after.
Speaking before the action, Sam said “I’m taking action today because universities are lying to us. We have been betrayed by academics and university executives that are too cowardly to tell the truth, let alone take action to stop it.”
The University issued a statement following the event: “While we support the right to legal protest, we are hugely disappointed that today’s demonstration led to the vandalism of a University building.”
“We do not invest in companies that are materially engaged in certain sectors”, adding “Our policy on responsible investment is to invest in companies that are sustainable.”
On 18 September, University Chancellors were told they must sign a letter on penned to the Government, giving them “a clear ultimatum: either they stop new oil and gas licenses, or you will be duty bound to join your students in slow marches across London to the point that you too will be arrested and imprisoned.”
The group closed the letter with a very clear message of intent: “If you do not sign and return the attached letter by Friday 22nd September, students will have no choice but to bring a wave of civil disobedience to their campuses.”
Just Stop Oil say “It’s up to all of us now to come together and resist. We cannot let them divide us. Together we can be the real opposition this country needs and we will win.”
Just Stop Oil are set to embark on three weeks of protest in London from 26 October , with over 1,000 supporters prepared to take part and face resistance. The group will stage slow marches throughout the capital, challenging new laws that condemn the activity and forcing police to intervene.
