Just Stop Oil campaigners invaded a Wimbledon court today as the tennis championships became the latest high-profile sporting event to be disrupted by green protesters.
Retired teacher Deborah Wilde, 68, and former musician Simon Milner-Edwards, 66, both ran onto court 18 during the match between Sho Shimabukuro and Grigor Dimitrov, throwing orange confetti glitter and puzzle pieces onto the grass.
Their protest, which saw play delayed while officials collected the pieces, comes despite a major airport-style security effort at SW19 which tries to prevent disruption.
Wimbledon officials had made bag checks at the entrance to the grounds even stricter, as well as banning spray paint, personal protective sprays and glue.
It also comes just a week after three Just Stop Oil protesters were arrested at Lord’s Cricket Ground in north London during the second Ashes Test, including a man who was carried off the pitch by England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow.
A Just Stop Oil protester runs onto Court 18 and releases confetti at Wimbledon this afternoon
A Just Stop Oil protester sits on Court 18 on day three of the Wimbledon Championships today
A Just Stop Oil protester runs onto Court 18 and releases confetti at Wimbledon this afternoon
Just Stop Oil protester on Court 18 throws confetti at Wimbledon this afternoon
Just Stop Oil protesters are escorted by police at the Wimbledon Championships today
Ground staff remove pieces of confetti from Court 18 after today’s Just Stop Oil protest
The group – which wants the Government to halt all new oil, gas and coal licenses – said Ms Wilde was among the two campaigners today.
She said: “I’m just a normal granny resisting this government’s policy of giving us new oil and gas licences.” Under normal circumstances, this kind of disruption would be totally unacceptable, but these are not normal circumstances.
“We just had the hottest June on record, breaking the previous record by almost a full degree. We don’t need Hawk-Eye to see that our government issuing over 100 new fossil fuel licenses is a very bad call.”
“Forget strawberries and cream, scientists warn of imminent food shortages, mass displacement and war. We’re facing new pandemics, economic inflation and increasingly authoritarian governments that will try to crush civil unrest .
“This is a crisis and it needs a response to the crisis. I want a secure future, not just for my grandchildren, but for all children around the world and future generations.”
A Just Stop Oil protester is removed from Court 18 at Wimbledon today
A Just Stop Oil protester is removed from Court 18 at Wimbledon today
Just Stop Oil activists are detained by police after throwing orange confetti at the court today 18
Just Stop Oil activists are detained by police after throwing orange confetti at the court today 18
Just Stop Oil activists are detained by police after throwing orange confetti at the court today 18
Action was also taken by Mr Milner-Edwards, who said: “I’m here for my grandchildren and everyone else’s.” I am not willing to let our politicians destroy it all and let the next generation pick up the pieces.
“The last thing I want to do is spoil people’s enjoyment of Wimbledon, but right now, on center court, it’s humanity against oil and gas, and the referee is getting every call wrong. How much how long until we see a McEnroe level meltdown!?’
Just Stop Oil said its campaigners have completed up to seven marches a day, six days a week since April 24, involving more than 600 people from across the UK.
The group said there have been 227 arrests so far this year, including those arrested at the Coronation and cultural and sporting events.
Just Stop Oil added that since its campaign launched on February 14, 2022, there have been more than 2,200 arrests and 138 people have spent time in prison.
A Just Stop Oil protester sits on Court 18 on day three of the Wimbledon Championships today
A Just Stop Oil protester is removed from Court 18 at Wimbledon today
Last month it was reported that protesters were “plotting” to disrupt Wimbledon.
The Sun reported that members of the group wanted to stick to center court or even target the referee’s chair or the turf.
A source told the paper: “An image of someone’s hand stuck to something on center court would be amazing. That would be very inspiring. There are a lot of people for that.
Andy Murray admitted last week he thought there was a “good chance” protesters would cause chaos at Wimbledon.
The British tennis player said: “I think there’s probably a good chance something will happen.
“I’m not sure how many times I’ve had someone run on the court when I’m actually playing. It might have been once, but I’m not sure it’s been more than that.
