Trespassing at the Oil Ministry, blocking a major road junction: Activists from Extinction Rebellion carried out the first of a series of punches announced against Norwegian oil policy in Oslo on Monday, leading to 29 arrests.

"Ban oil, life before profits"

Sometimes disguised as polar bears or disturbing black figures, dozens of activists blocked the entrance to the Ministry of Oil and Energy behind a banner "Ban oil, life before profits", some breaking into the building.

At the same time, other activists have temporarily blocked traffic at an important crossroads in the Norwegian capital.

Citing the climate emergency, Extinction Rebellion calls for the end of oil exploration and the gradual dismantling of black gold production in the Scandinavian country, the largest exporter of hydrocarbons in Western Europe.

Civil disobedience actions in Oslo and London

Civil disobedience actions are announced for the whole week in Oslo and others started the same day for 15 days in London, where thousands of activists gathered in Trafalgar Square.

Norwegian police announced 29 arrests of activists who refused to evacuate the roads.

"We will stay here as long as our demands have not been met," Jenny Jaeger, a 21-year-old activist occupying the reception room of the Ministry of Petroleum where she was preparing to spend the night, assured AFP by phone. .

In a report released on August 9, UN climate experts (IPCC) declared a "red alert for humanity", with global warming turning out to be worse and faster than feared so far.

If the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, considered that this report "sounds the death knell" for fossil fuels, Norway continues to award licenses for oil exploration in its waters.

Legislative elections on September 13

"We will deliver energy to the world as long as the demand is there", assured in June the Minister of Petroleum, Tina Bru.

"The government will therefore maintain an oil policy that facilitates profitable production of oil and gas under Norwegian climate policy."

Monday, Tina Bru, who says she shares the concerns of the protesters, judged their methods undemocratic.

"This group says democracy is the problem and wants to shift power from democratically elected bodies to what they themselves consider appropriate," she said.

"The moment is so critical that it is our last resort", defended Jenny Jaeger.

The future of oil is at the heart of the legislative campaign of September 13 in Norway, where some - small - parties are also calling for an end to oil exploitation.

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