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Tom Curry helps eject 'Just Stop Oil' protesters from Premiership Final
By PA
Just Stop Oil protesters forced a stoppage in play during Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership final at Twickenham.
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Two men invaded the pitch midway through the first half of the match between Saracens and Sale, throwing orange paint powder on to the field.
Twickenham Stadium later confirmed two men had been arrested and that the incident is now a police matter.
Fans jeered the duo before cheering as stewards escorted them from the stadium.
Orange powder remained on the field as the match resumed.
A statement from Just Stop Oil said the men involved in the protest were Dr Patrick Hart, 37, a GP from Bristol and Sam Johnson, 40, a construction worker from Essex.
#JustStopOil at Prem Final. pic.twitter.com/7T4TgbIyxk
— Daniel Gallan (@danielgallan) May 27, 2023
“Two Just Stop Oil supporters have disrupted the Gallagher Premiership Rugby final,” read the statement.
“They are demanding a halt to any new licences for oil, gas and coal projects in the UK.”
The statement also outlined the pair’s reasons for taking part.
Hart said: “I am doing this because it’s my duty as a doctor. The climate crisis is the greatest health crisis humanity has ever faced.
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“People are dying now and more will die every day unless we stop new oil, gas and coal.
“In the same way the tobacco companies lied to us that tobacco was safe, the scrum of fossil fuel companies and corrupt politicians have been lying to us. They are keeping us addicted to fossil fuels, even though they know it’s killing us.
“I am not prepared to let them get away with mass murder. We are ordinary people. We are the doctors and nurses who care for you when you are sick. I call on everyone to come and join us in the streets and be on the right side of history.”
Johnson said: “I took action today simply because we have run out of time. We’ve got to tackle this now.
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“We have known for longer than I’ve been alive what would happen if we kept burning fossil fuels and now we are seeing this catastrophe unfold in real time. The whole world knows that licensing new fossil fuel projects in 2023 will cause the deaths of millions of people.
“We are at the greatest crossroads humanity has ever faced and unless we act now we will lose everything we have ever cared about. I have a nephew who is seven years old, who I love to bits, and as long as I have breath in my lungs I will fight to protect his future.”
A statement from Twickenham Stadium read: “Twickenham Stadium can confirm two people have been arrested and this is now a police matter.
“We would like to thank our stewarding team who acted decisively and swiftly.”
The protest followed a similar one at the World Snooker Championship in April.
On that occasion, a man tipped orange paint on the table during the match between Robert Milkins and Joe Perry at the Crucible in Sheffield.
A woman was prevented from executing a similar stunt on the other table after being tackled by quick-thinking referee Olivier Marteel.
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Well lots to like Savea and Will obviously getting mojo back was great. Frizz looked hungry and good to see lomax and cane seem ok too. Jordie back means a lot more variation to our attack and kicking. And actually with Jordie also being another playmaker it really showed we don’t need BB at 15. Really do think we need Will at 15, Liester 11, telia 14 and then Jordie 12 and ALB at 13 Reiko had a terrible game and this game highlighted so many of his issues Chances that maybe only come his way 2-3 times in a proper game were x4-5 today and nearly everytime he got it wrong. From not passing to passsing when he should have run missed tackles, turnovers it was very evident he still is a big issue Elsewhere the Auckland props scrummed well but non existent anywhere else - nowhere near the level of Ireland French or SA props workrates. Lineout worked well and Brodie was huge around the park. I’m worried about scooter he seems to have gone down a notch since cards seems to have lost Confidence Looking good for QFs but still think the team make up could be better
Go to commentsAh, it was a game of two halves, Aaron. However, Italy’s half only lasted an eighth of the game.
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