全英ゴルフでも妨害行為　環境団体「ジャスト・ストップ・オイル」

【ホイレイク（英国）ＡＦＰ＝時事】男子ゴルフの今季メジャー最終戦、第１５１回全英オープンで２１日、環境活動団体「ジャスト・ストップ・オイル」のメンバーがコースで発煙筒をたいたり、オレンジ色の粉をまき散らしたりするなどして逮捕される出来事が起きた。（写真は男子ゴルフの今季メジャー最終戦、第１５１回全英オープン２日目。警察に拘束される環境団体「ジャスト・ストップ・オイル」のメンバー）
　「ジャスト・ストップ・オイル」は、英ホイレイクのロイヤルリバプールＧＣで行われた大会２日目の１７番ホールで抗議行動をしたことを認める声明を出した。警察も、この件で４人を逮捕したことを明らかにした。
　英国では最近、テニスのウィンブルドン選手権やクリケットなどの主要スポーツ大会で、同団体による妨害行為が続いている。
　全英オープンの主催者は、こうした抗議行動に備えて大会警備を強化。選手はコースへの侵入者に関わらないよう忠告されていたが、この日は米国のビリー・ホーシェルが、「ジャスト・ストップ・オイル」のＴシャツを着た女１人をグリーンから運び出し、警察官へ突き出した。
　同団体は英政府に化石燃料の新規開発停止を求めており、それが実現するまで抗議の手を緩めないと主張している。
　英警察は新しい法律により、南京錠や瞬間接着剤などを所持している人物を職務質問したり、迷惑行為をしようとした疑いのある人物を逮捕したりする権限が強化されている。【翻訳編集ＡＦＰＢＢＮｅｗｓ】
〔ＡＦＰ＝時事〕（2023/07/24-15:20）

Climate activists targeted the British Open on Friday, setting off a smoke flare and throwing orange powder onto the Royal Liverpool course before being arrested.
The Just Stop Oil group said it was responsible for the demonstration at the 17th hole on the second day of action at Hoylake.
Police confirmed that four people had been arrested.
British golf's landmark tournament is the latest high-profile sporting event to be targeted by Just Stop Oil in recent weeks following interruptions at Wimbledon and during the second Ashes cricket Test at Lord's.
At around 12.20 pm three Just Stop Oil supporters ran onto hole 17 at The Open in Royal Liverpool, the group said in a statement.
They set off a smoke flare and threw orange powder paint on the green before being removed by security.
American golfer Billy Horschel escorted a woman wearing a Just Stop Oil T-shirt away from the putting surface and towards a police officer.
Another woman and two men, wearing similar T-shirts, were also handcuffed and marched off the course by several police officers.
Police said in a statement that a small amount of powder was discarded onto the playing surface and it was reported that one person had a smoke pyrotechnic.
They added: Two males and two females were quickly detained by both stewards and officers and they were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal damage and public nuisance. They will be taken into police custody to be questioned.
Greenkeeping staff were dispatched to the hole and removed the powdered paint with leaf-blowers.
Tournament organisers the R&A said: A protester was quickly apprehended on the 17th hole and is one of four people who have been arrested by police.
Play was not disrupted and we would like to thank the marshals, players and other spectators for their vigilance and understanding as the protesters were removed.
Open organisers were prepared for protests this year and had strengthened security.
They had advised players not to engage with anyone who entered the course but Horschel decided against that.
Just Stop Oil wants the UK government to end all new oil and gas exploration and has promised not to let up in its protests until it does so.
New legislation gives police greater powers to stop and search protesters for items such as padlocks and superglue, as well as arrest people suspected of attempting to cause a public nuisance.