A Suffolk woman has been arrested after taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest on the M25 outside of London.
Just Stop Oil activists caused widespread disruption on the motorway for a second day on Tuesday, leaving several junctions blocked.
Charlotte Kirin, a social worker, carer and parent from Bury St Edmunds, climbed a gantry over the motorway at the Dartford Tunnel.
The 53-year-old said in a video posted on Just Stop Oil's Twitter account: "In order to survive, we need to take action to stop new oil and gas.
"For as long as the government pretends this isn’t the priority, I will do what I can to demand a response.
"History shows us that we have to challenge unjust laws.
"What is being done to people all over the globe in the name of profit is the greatest imaginable injustice.
"I will not turn my back on people whose lives are being destroyed for rich men's profit.”
On Tuesday, Essex Police said a protester climbed on to the gantry at junction 31, causing the Dartford Tunnel to be closed.
Police later confirmed a 53-year-old woman from Bury St Edmunds was brought down from a gantry and arrested.
She is in custody for questioning on suspicion of causing a public nuisance and criminal damage.
Just Stop Oil confirmed Kirin was the woman who had been arrested.
Essex Police said after the arrest: “Specialist officers were mobilised quickly and managed to bring the woman down and arrest her within 90 minutes of her being spotted.
“As a result, the tunnels at the crossing were closed but one has since reopened.”
The protest group said about 15 of its supporters climbed on to overhead gantries in “multiple locations” on the UK’s busiest motorway from 7am on Tuesday, causing police to halt traffic.
The Metropolitan Police said 16 protesters were arrested in a joint operation with neighbouring forces, including Essex Police, Surrey Police and Kent Police.
National Highways said there were delays of an hour, with congestion for five miles.
Just Stop Oil also targeted at least six other locations on the M25.
Police believe some of those involved in the demonstrations could have breached a High Court injunction obtained by National Highways.
Just Stop Oil said in a statement: “We will not be intimidated by changes to the law, we will not be stopped by private injunctions sought to silence peaceful people.
“Our supporters understand that these are irrelevant when set against mass starvation, slaughter, the loss of our rights, freedoms and communities.”
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