On local election day several hundred people were kettled by police as they attempted to gain access to the closed door meeting between government and big business, the UK Energy Summit. [1] Eight arrests have been confirmed.

The protest at the conference being held at The Grange Hotel near St Paul’s Cathedral was called by Climate Justice Collective and supported by groups including UK Uncut, Occupy London, Disabled People Against the Cuts and Fuel Poverty Action. [2]

Preethi Jenkins, who was at the protest, said: “People have lost faith in government and politicians - who today have been conspiring with big business to line corporate pockets rather than do what’s best for ordinary people. That’s why we’ve taken to the streets on election day - voting won’t change corporate control of energy.”

The protest had started at 11:00am with colourful banners and costumes including giant model dinosaurs as a reference to the outdated “dinosaur technology” of fossil fuels. When protesters swarmed the main entrances of the UK Energy Summit venue, lines of police deploying batons prevented entry to the building.

Several arrests were made around midday, and injuries reported. The police kettled a large group at 2:00pm, and further injuries were treated by action medics, as well as more arrests. Meanwhile workshops were held close to the Occupy London site at St Paul’s Cathedral, looking at fuel poverty, community controlled renewables and how to challenge corporate energy monopoly. A Section 60, which allows police blanket stop and search powers, was invoked and remains in place.


A full selection of press ready photos can be found at Flickr:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/cj_collective/

[1] Details of the UK Energy Summit can be found at
 http://www.economistconferences.co.uk/event/uk-energy-summit-2012/5964

[2] Full list of groups supporting the Climate Justice Collective Big Six Energy Bash are: UK Uncut, Occupy London, Disabled People Against the Cuts, Global Women’s Strike, Kick Nuclear, UK Tar Sands Network, Campaign Against Climate Change, Biofuelwatch, Bristol Energy Cooperative, Stop Nuclear Power Network, London Rising Tide and Fuel Poverty Action.