A Wimbledon match on Court 18 was disrupted by two protesters from the group Just Stop Oil, who ran onto the court and threw orange confetti. The match between Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov and Japan’s Sho Shimabukuro was suspended as security measures were enacted.
Just Stop Oil stated that the supporters ran onto the court around 2:10 pm and “threw environmentally-friendly orange confetti glitter and jigsaw pieces on to the courts before being removed.” Leaf blowers were employed to clear the confetti from the court.
The incident at Wimbledon occurred amid enhanced security measures following a series of protests at high-profile events in Britain. The Grand Slam tournament had taken precautionary steps to ensure the safety of players and spectators.
Deborah Wilde, a 68-year-old retired teacher from London and one of the protesters who ran onto the court, expressed her resistance to the government’s policy of granting new oil and gas licenses. She emphasized the urgency of the situation, referring to impending food shortages, mass displacement, and the need for a crisis response.
Simon Milner-Edwards, a 66-year-old retired musician from Manchester and the other protester on Court 18, stated that he was taking action for the sake of future generations and to prevent politicians from causing irreversible damage.
Just Stop Oil has previously staged protests at sporting events, including the Ashes cricket test at Lord’s and the Premiership Rugby final. They aim to raise awareness about the environmental impact of oil and gas production.
While the disruption at Wimbledon was brief, it highlights the ongoing activism surrounding environmental issues and the increasing efforts of groups to use high-profile platforms to convey their message.
