A POOLE councillor who takes part in Just Stop Oil's road-blocking protests has spoken out about her ongoing support for the movement.

Cllr Felicity Rice, representing Oakdale ward in Poole, has been involved in Just Stop Oil protests and campaigned at an event earlier this month.

Previously she has been arrested and was later found not guilty of wilfully obstructing a highway -  and says that the previous incident has not deterred her from protests.

Bournemouth Echo:

“The police have always been very respectful, and most of them support the right to protest, and support a move to renewable energy too,” said Cllr Rice.

“I was found not guilty because it is reasonable to cause limited disruption in order to highlight a bigger issue.”

“The government is continuing to ignore the bigger issue of climate change.”

READ MORE: Poole councillor cleared of wilfully obstructing highway during London protest

Cllr Rice, who is a member of the Poole People group, first joined Just Stop Oil ten months ago after she became concerned that people in power did not ‘understand the implications of their decisions’.

“Up until a few years ago, I always trusted that the people in power understood the implications of their decisions and were rational.

Bournemouth Echo:

“However, I am extremely concerned now because allowing 100 new oil and gas licences in the UK, knowing that it will have huge negative impacts, and isn’t even needed, is not rational.”

While working in local government, Cllr Rice said she understands the risks more of people’s homes being flooded from rising sea levels and extreme downpours.

“By being part of the peaceful Just Stop Oil slow marches last week, I am simply saying, ‘no, we don’t want worse flooding and poverty in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, we want community owned renewable energy, better public transport and for children to grow up healthy.”

“Stopping new oil and gas is a very simple step, renewable energy is 9 times cheaper than fossil fuels.

“The International Energy Agency stated in May 2021: ‘If governments are serious about the climate crisis, there can be no new investments in oil, gas and coal, from now – from this year’.

“I encourage everyone to speak in person to their local MP, and ask them to support this simple step.”