TY to @RadicalAnthro for making me aware of this!

Five #JustStopOil activists receive record sentences for planning to block M25

Campaigners receive longest ever sentences for #nonviolent #protest after being convicted of conspiracy to cause #PublicNuisance

Damien Gayle
Thu 18 Jul 2024 12.47 EDT

"Gethin, who offered her own comments in mitigation, said: 'I want to remind the court once more that my reasons for taking action were not beliefs or opinions. 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, I would argue. I deeply regret that this action was necessary … I maintain that it was necessary and I stand by my actions as the most effective option available to me.'

"Supporters of the defendants expressed outrage at the sentences, which came after a two-week trial in which the judge denied them any of the defences in law for causing a public nuisance.

"Hehir ruled that the jury should not take into account evidence about #ClimateBreakdown, which the defendants wanted to point to as the key motivation behind their actions, and which they said provided them with a #ReasonableExcuse for them."

Read more:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/jul/18/five-just-stop-oil-supporters-jailed-over-protest-that-blocked-m25

#FreeSpeech #RightToProtest #CriminalizingDissent #BiodiversityNecessityDefense #EarthDefenders #SLAPPs #Fascism #SLAPPs #CivilDisobedience #Activism #ClimateStrike #ClimateActivists #HumanRights #SilencingDissent #Corporatocracy #EarthDefenders #Article20 #ExtremeProtestGroups #2023PublicOrderAct #ClimateNecessityDefense

"Militant groups like Palestine Action and Just Stop Oil are using criminal tactics to create mayhem and hold the public and workers to ransom without fear of consequence," Lord Walney said.

Um, #BigCorporations, especially #BigOilAndGas, have been holding THE PLANET and ALL LIFE FORMS to ransom without consequence! Why doesn't the UK (and all the other countries) criminalize ECOCIDE?!!

'Extreme' protest groups face ban under proposal

Harry Farley
May 11, 2024

"#Protest groups such as #JustStopOil and #PalestineAction could be banned in a similar way to #terrorist organisations, under a proposal from the government’s adviser on political violence.

"An upcoming report from Lord Walney, which BBC News has seen extracts of, will recommend a new category for proscribing '#ExtremeProtestGroups'.

"It defines these as those which routinely use criminal tactics to try to achieve their aims.

"The sanctions could restrict a group's ability to #fundraise and its #RightToAssembly in the #UK.

"The Home Office said ministers would consider the recommendations."

Read more:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2qv7425gvwo

#FreeSpeech #RightToProtest #CriminalizingDissent #SLAPPs #Fascism
#SLAPPs #CivilDisobedience #Activism #ClimateStrike #FreePalestine #ClimateActivists #HumanRights #SilencingDissent #Corporatocracy #EarthDefenders #Article20 #2023PublicOrderAct