Just Stop Oil sprays paint on the Great Hall, one person arrested – as it happened

Thu 12 Oct, 17:00 BST

We’re closing this blog now, thank you for joining us. For the full round up of the events, read Em O’Riley’s summary, which includes the reaction from students and staff. Read here.

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Thu 12 Oct, 15:53 BST

Video of 21-year-old Sam Holland being arrested earlier today.

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Thu 12 Oct, 15:53 BST

The man arrested is Sam Holland, a University of Leeds Geography & Economics graduate.

Just Stop Oil have released a statement:

“I’m taking action today because universities are lying to us. I studied Human Geography & Economics and was told that hundreds of mullions would be killed over the coming decades from famine, fire and war over resources because of the climate crisis. We have been betrayed by academics and university executives that are too cowardly to tell the truth, let alone take action to stop it.”

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Thu 12 Oct, 15:45 BST

Some of the images from the protest taken by our photographer James Maslin-Bosher

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Thu 12 Oct, 13:35 BST

The University of Leeds has released a statement

“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 are taking a robust approach to tackling the existential challenge of climate change, with a £174 million Climate Plan which includes our target of delivering net zero emissions by 2030.

“Our policy on responsible investment is to invest in companies that are sustainable and that purposefully set out to solve the problems of people and the planet profitably, without benefiting from causing harm to the world.

“We avoid companies that are materially engaged in certain sectors, including thermal coal, the extraction of fossil fuel from tar sands, oil and gas extraction, production and refining.

“Working collaboratively with our staff and students we will continue to gear our curriculum, research and campus activity to lead climate action locally, nationally and globally.”

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Thu 12 Oct, 13:12 BST

University of Leeds security have moved the protesters and blocked the entrance to the Great Hall so the paint can be removed

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Thu 12 Oct, 13:01 BST

One student told The Gryphon they understood the reasoning behind the protest but said the action was “excessive”.

Dr Mette Wiggen, a lecturer for the School of Politics and International Studies, who we spoke to before the paint was thrown, was critical of the university’s environmental practices and applauded the students for taking the action.

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Thu 12 Oct, 12:59 BST

The protest seems to have ended but a crowd remains gathered around the Great Hall.

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Thu 12 Oct, 12:51 BST

Speeches are continuing outside the Great Hall which is now covered in orange paint. The police presence remains strong.

The speaker mentioned the School of Politics and International Studies professor Richard Beardsworth and alleged he is complicit in destructive environmental practices.

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Thu 12 Oct, 12:43 BST

Paint has been sprayed onto the Great Hall and a protester has been carried away by police.

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Thu 12 Oct, 12:35 BST

The protest has started. A student is giving a speech and is calling for the University of Leeds to cuts all of its ties with oil and gas industries. They said the approval of new oil and gas sites, such as the Rosebank field which was approved last month, is “an act of war against the young, an act of genocide”.

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Thu 12 Oct, 12:15 BST

The protest is set to begin in the next 15 minutes and there is currently a large police presence on campus.

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Thu 12 Oct, 10:10 BST

Our climate editors Rachel England and Kirsty Went on the background to today’s rally

Just Stop Oil defines themselves as ‘a nonviolent civil resistance group demanding the UK government stop licensing all new oil, gas and coal projects’.

Over recent years, Just Stop Oil has received increasing publicity, following their protests that disrupt daily life, calling the attention of the public and the government to the worsening climate emergency created by the authorisation of new oil projects. 

The group has criticised universities across the UK for partnering with fossil fuel companies and undertaking research for polluting industries.

Leedsunis.vs.oil, the Leeds student supporters of Just Stop Oil sent a letter to the Vice Chancellor last month warning it would bring a “wave of civil disobedience” to hold the university to account. In addition to hosting weekly meetings, the members of Leedsunis.vs.oil stress the importance of taking nonviolent action and banding together in protest to make their voices and the voices of all climate activists heard.

In alignment with other universities, including the University of Exeter, University of Oxford and University College London, students here in Leeds are gathering for a student rally in support of these goals here today at 12:30 at the ‘Wavy Bacon’ sculpture next to the Marjorie and Arnold Ziff Building.

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Thu 12 Oct, 10:00 BST

Welcome to the live blog. Just Stop Oil are holding a rally outside the Marjorie and Arnold Ziff Building today at 12:30. Our reporters will be there to cover the event and speak to students.