Five Just Stop Oil activists received record-breaking jail sentences for their non-violent protests on the M25, sparking a heated debate over the future of climate activism in the UK. Here’s the full story.
Dark Glimpse Into Future
In a dark glimpse into the future of climate protests, as the climate catastrophe continues apace, five members of the Just Stop Oil climate campaign group were sentenced to record jail terms for their roles in planning protests aimed to disrupt traffic on the M25 motorway.
Record Jail Terms
The activists, Roger Hallam, Daniel Shaw, Louise Lancaster, Lucia Whittaker De Abreu, and Cressida Gethin, received sentences ranging from four to five years for conspiracy to cause public nuisance. This case marks the longest sentence in the UK for non-violent protest, far surpassing the previous record-breaking sentences handed down to other members of the same group.
Conspiracy to Protest
The five activists were found guilty of conspiring to organise a series of protests on the M25. During these protests, protesters climbed onto gantries over the motorway, aiming to cause disruption to draw attention to their cause. Roger Hallam, co-founder of Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion, received a five-year sentence, while the other four were each sentenced to four years.
“Very Serious Indeed”
Judge Christopher Hehir, who presided over the case, told the protesters, “The offending of all five of you is very serious indeed and lengthy custodial sentences must follow.”
From Campaigners to Fanatics
He stated, “I acknowledge that at least some of the concerns motivating you are, at least to some extent, shared by many. But the plain fact is that each of you has some time ago crossed the line from concerned campaigner to fanatic. You have appointed yourselves as the sole arbiters of what should be done about climate change, bound neither by the principles of democracy nor the rule of law.”
Heedless of Citizens’ Rights
He added, “And your fanaticism makes you entirely heedless of the rights of your fellow citizens. You have taken it upon yourselves to decide that your fellow citizens must suffer disruption and harm, and how much disruption and harm they must suffer, simply so that you may parade your views.”
Defendants Represent Themselves
During the trial, the defendants represented themselves and had legal counsel speak during mitigation. They argued that their actions were driven by the urgent need to address the impending climate catastrophe.
“Earth’s Life-Support Systems”
Speaking in court, Gethin stated, “Earth’s life-support systems are breaking down due to human activities, whether we believe it or not. These are not beliefs or opinions, and feeling strongly that this is wrong is greatly understandable.”
Judge Dismisses Arguments
However, as a sign of what is to come as the planet continues to burn and people are driven to ever more desperate acts of protest, the judge dismissed these arguments, maintaining that the severity of their actions warranted lengthy sentences.
Outrage at Draconian Sentences
Unsurprisingly, the draconian sentences for non-violent protest, which, at best, caused minor inconvenience to some motorists, have sparked outrage among campaign groups and other observers who view them as a profoundly damaging attack on the right to peaceful protest.
“A Dark Day”
Michel Forst, the UN’s special rapporteur on environmental defenders, attended part of the trial and issued a statement condemning the sentences, arguing that they were “a dark day for peaceful environmental protest”. He stated, “This sentence should shock the conscience of any member of the public. It should also put all of us on high alert on the state of civic rights and freedoms in the United Kingdom.”
Dangerous Precedent
He added, “Rulings like today’s set a very dangerous precedent, not just for environmental protest but any form of peaceful protest that may, at one point or another, not align with the interests of the government of the day.”
“Locks People Away”
Similarly, Greenpeace UK’s programme director, Amy Cameron, stated, “What sort of country locks people away for years for planning a peaceful demonstration, let alone for talking about it on a Zoom call? We’re giving a free hand to the polluting elite robbing us of a habitable planet while jailing those who’re trying to stop them – it makes no sense.”
Repressive Legislation
She added, “These sentences are not a one-off anomaly but the culmination of years of repressive legislation, overblown government rhetoric and a concerted assault on the right of juries to deliberate according to their conscience.”
Part of a Trend
The Just Stop Oil campaign, which seeks to end new oil and gas exploration in the North Sea, is part of several climate activist groups which have sprung up around the UK as the effects of climate change become more prevalent. These recent sentences are part of a broader trend of governments introducing legislation to crack down on climate protests.
Journalist Joins Call
A journalist working for the Rupert Murdoch-owned Sun newspaper had joined the activists’ Zoom call organising the protest and recorded the proceedings. These recordings were then given to the police. Murdoch papers have a long history of climate denialism. Murdoch himself has financial stakes in a number of oil and gas companies, and he has previously argued, “We should approach climate change with great scepticism.”
Uncertain Future
The future of climate protests in the UK remains uncertain after these historic and draconian sentences. The legal precedent this case sets may deter future activists from participating in similar protests, fearing the severe repercussions.
Criticism and Concerns
While the authorities have justified the sentences as necessary to maintain public order, they have also been highly criticised for undermining the fundamental right to peaceful protest.
Will Protests Continue?
It remains to be seen whether these protests will damage climate activism as the climate catastrophe continues unabated or if the harsh sentencing will galvanise more, possibly more drastic, climate protests.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Bridget Giles.