Is it ever okay to damage property as a protest tactic?

Just Stop Oil activists have sprayed paint on the facade of two luxury car showrooms in central London.

Protesters began spraying paint from a fire extinguisher over the premises of high-end dealers Ferrari and Bentley on the corner of Berkeley Square and Bruton Street at 8.30am on Wednesday.

The Metropolitan Police arrested two people on suspicion of criminal damage in relation to the protest.

It came as the campaign group continues its month-long series of protests as it calls on the Government to halt all new fossil fuel licences.

The group says police have made 585 arrests since they began their action at the beginning of October.

Seven Just Stop Oil demonstrators were arrested on Tuesday after spraying paint on to the facade of 55 Tufton Street in Westminster as it targeted the headquarters of climate sceptic think tank Global Warming Police Foundation.

It comes as two climate activists discussed the tactics Just Stop Oil use and whether they are effective on BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme.

Indigo Rumbelow, a Just Stop Oil protester, told the programme on Wednesday that they use the tactics “to disturb everyday life” and ensure that everyone is aware of the “very very serious” threat of climate change.

On whether breaking the law is acceptable, Ms Rumbelow argued: “There’s many times when I’m sure you will agree that it’s correct that people break the law.

“If there is a burning house and I want to save a child I will break a window causing criminal damage.

“If there’s a government who’s persecuting a group of peoples, I will hide them in my house no matter what the risk to myself is.

“If there’s a government pursuing new oil and gas despite the warnings of the global scientific gas, then I will stop them.”

Rupert Read, a professor of philosophy at the University of East Anglia who helped found Extinction Rebellion, argued that a more moderate approach is now needed.

Mr Read said the first major wave of Extinction Rebellion protests in April 2019 “achieved something dramatic and extraordinary, a real increase in climate consciousness”.

But he added that now: “What we need is masses of people who are prepared to take action in their own lives, in their communities, where they work, to effect the changes that need to be made.

“What I’d say to people who don’t like Just Stop Oil’s tactic is: ‘Well fine, but don’t waste your energy cursing at them but instead do something that you actually judge to be better, to be more positive, to be more effective.’”

What are your views? Do these types of protests win your support or alienate you from the perpetrators?