Just Stop Oil members said they were “very much not being broken” and were “waltzing around” in their cells. Here’s more on this story.
Dangerous Efforts
In November 2022, a group of Just Stop Oil protestors took to the M25 and caused massive traffic interference. In an estimate, almost 50 of them dangerously hung their posters from the gantries after climbing up to make “their statement.”
Not Deterred
According to reports, 22-year-old Cressida Gethin and 35-year-old Lucinda Whittaker De Abreu spoke in their joint statement recently, saying they remain determined to do the right thing.
Overcrowded Prisons
The Just Stop Oil activist said in a joint statement, “We are glad that people are angry by what has happened to us five. Please also be angry for the thousands of prisoners stuck in overcrowded dehumanising jails…”
The “Resistance Continues”
The pair also said that if Judge Hehir, who sentenced them, thought that putting “non-violent action-takers” in prison would “break them or extinguish the resistance,” he would be “disappointed.”
Standing Firm
The activists also said that they need to stand strong and do what is right in the face of “climate and social collapse.”
Court Sentence
During their sentence in 2022, Judge Hehir addressed four of the protestors in court between the ages of 22 and 58, including Roger Hallam, and the leader of the Just Stop Oil activist group. Cressida Gethin, Lucinda Whittaker De Abreu, Daniel Shaw, and Louise Lancaster were the other members.
Four-Year Sentence
The Judge ruled that the activists serve a four-year sentence, each with an extra year for Hallam. He said they had “crossed the line from concerned campaigner to fanatic.”
Not the First Time in Prison
The judge also gave Hallam an extra year, noting that he was the “brain” behind the operation and his ideas. It was also not the first time Hallam had broken the law. He has, on three other occasions, been arrested for disobeying the court.
Deliberate Intentions
The court had reportedly heard that the activists had intentionally wanted to stop traffic on the M25 that day, BBC News reported.
UK Legislation on Public Nuisance
According to UK legislation, the public nuisance law allows longer sentences, not exceeding ten years, as a means to stop dangerous and disruptive crowd protesting.
Intentional Harm and Danger
The legislation puts into effect consequences if persons are “intentionally” and “recklessly” risking harm to themselves and the public.
Excessive Traffic Disruption
On the day of the M25 blockage, the traffic disruption went beyond that road, it stretched to Essex, Surrey, Hertfordshire, and Kent. More than 51,000 drivers’ commutes were disrupted, including funerals, medical emergencies, medical appointments, and missed flights.
Accidents During M25 Druption
Two lorries collided in the sudden halt of traffic that day, and a police officer fell off his bike, too.
Mounting Costs
The prosecutors of the Just Stop Oil members said the damages cost the state around £765,000 and £1.1million to the local police.
Careful Planning Involved
According to the judge, premeditation and planning existed before the protest was actioned. It’s reported that Louise Lancaster had bought climbing equipment before the stint was executed. There was also a case of a “safehouse” rented for the protestors.
What the Mothers Said
Gethin’s mother, Cathay Gethin, said in an interview that her daughter was the youngest and now she would spend four of her years in jail. She said her daughter Cressida “will not be present at her brother’s wedding next summer.”
Courage of a Lion
The mother of the accused had also told the public that her daughter was courageous and could never just stand by when something wasn’t right. She described her daughter as having the “courage of a lion.”
No Choice
Furthermore, she added, “like many defendants, Cressida tried polite routes to protest and to persuade to affect change. But, when she heard the science and saw that no one was paying attention, she felt she had no option.”
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Loredana Sangiuliano.