Recently, a Tekken 7 tournament in the UK came into focus, but not because of its exciting fights or talented players. No, the tournament became the scene of an unusual attack by climate activists. During EGX, one of the biggest gaming events in the country, three members of the group “Just Stop Oil” stormed the stage at the weekend.
Armed with paint, the activists embellished parts of the stage set and even used a water blaster against a large monitor. Their motive? A protest against one of the event’s sponsors.
So activists stopped the winners final match between me and @byJoka at EGX2023, what a mad occurrence to happen, I just wanna play man lol, some of the paint they shot at the stream screen went over us a little. Don’t think their message was sent though, sucks for them eh?
– Kaneandtrench (@Kaneandtrench) October 15, 2023
The action occurred during a final match in the Tekken 7 tournament. The protesters addressed the audience and tried to explain their motives, but were met with boos. Security eventually escorted the trio out of the venue and they could potentially face charges of criminal damage to property.
The target of their protest was Barclays Bank, a sponsor of EGX, which is responsible for funding “around $167 billion in fossil fuels”, according to Just Stop Oil.
However, there was an ironic twist to this incident. Player KaneandTrench, who was on stage during the action, later commented on Twitter, “I don’t think their message got through; pretty stupid for them, right?” Likewise, commentator and tournament organiser Spag pointed out the irony that the £5,000 tournament was won by J0Ka, a “player sponsored by Saudi Arabia”.
“Just Stop Oil” can be seen as the British equivalent of the “Last Generation” climate activists in other countries. They rely on disruptive action to draw attention to climate change and the government’s alleged inaction on the issue. In the past, they have targeted concerts and sporting events and even smeared soup on the famous “Sunflowers” painting by Vincent van Gogh at the London National Gallery in a controversial action.
