Just Stop Oil

Who's getting arrested for this then?

GANTRY CLIMBERS SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS IN PRISON ⛓️ Paul Bell, Theresa Higginson, Gaie Delap, Paul Sousek and George Simonson have been given 20-24 month prison sentences, whilst Daniel Johnson was handed a 21 month suspended sentence at Basildon Crown Court today.

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#breaking More disproportionate and repressive sentencing by the UK judiciary! As the world burns and we've experienced the hottest days on earth... "Six Just Stop Oil supporters have been sentenced today by Judge Collery at Basildon Crown Court. Daniel Johnson (25), Paul Bell (24), Theresa Higginson (26), Gaie Delap (77), Paul Sousek (73) and George Simonson (24), pleaded guilty in April to the offence of ‘causing a public nuisance’, a statutory offence under the new Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. They took action climbing gantries over the M25 motorway in November 2022, demanding the UK government immediately halts all licensing and consents for new fossil fuel exploration and extraction. Gaie Delap, Paul Sousek each received 20 month sentences, whilst Paul Bell received 22 months. George Simonson and Theresa Higginson each received 2 years. Daniel Johnson received a 21 month suspended sentence for 24 months and 200 hours of unpaid work with £750 costs. They join Phoebe Plummer and Jane Touil who were imprisoned yesterday. There are currently 21 peaceful people imprisoned in the UK for demanding the UK government act on the threat of climate breakdown. In January, Michel FORST, the United Nations’ Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders released a statement, which severely criticises the UK Government’s increasingly draconian treatment of peaceful climate action. He made reference to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, saying: “I learned that, in the UK, peaceful protesters are being prosecuted and convicted under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, for the criminal offence of “public nuisance”, which is punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment.” “It is important to highlight that, prior to these legislative developments, it had been almost unheard of since the 1930s for members of the public to be imprisoned for peaceful protest in the UK. I am therefore seriously concerned by these regressive new laws.” In 2022, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak boasted that this legislation had been drafted, in part, by the Policy Exchange think tank. In 2021, it was revealed that the Policy Exchange’s US wing, the ‘American Friends of Policy Exchange’, which provides funds to the UK branch, received $30,000 (roughly £23,700) from oil and gas giant ExxonMobil in 2017. [3] Speaking before sentencing today Paul Sousek said: “’No New Oil’ was the demand from Just Stop Oil right from the start. Now most political parties agree and it has become Government policy. How come we are being jailed for pushing for, what is now government policy? Kafka couldn’t make it up!” "... https://lnkd.in/edcACBEX

This is difficult to watch, but do I support the action? Yes, I do. Stonehenge is a symbol of human ingenuity and history, representing a significant milestone. But if we continue to ignore the climate crisis, we risk throwing away all that we, humanity, have achieved. The reality is that without ending #FossilFuels, we are condemning future generations to a world of chaos and devastation. Today, Just Stop Oil took a bold step, spraying orange powder on Stonehenge, demanding that the incoming government commit to a legally binding treaty to phase out fossil fuels by 2030. This act, controversial as it may be, is a desperate call for action amid the deafening silence of those in power. Protests like these are not meant to be liked. They are meant to shake us awake, to confront our complacency, and to force us to act. We cannot afford to ignore the urgency any longer. Our inaction today will be remembered as the moment we chose fossil fuels over the future of our planet. For our ancestor's sake. For our future generation's sake. Wake up.

The latest appalling repression coming our way, courtesy of the UK 'government'. How can a state that provides weapons to child killers, and licenses 100+ new oil and gas licenses whilst presiding over obscene and increasing wealth inequality, call ordinary people's peaceful resistance 'extremist' and 'violent'... "Protest groups such as Just Stop Oil and Palestine Action 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 "extreme protest groups". 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 right to assembly in the UK. The Home Office said ministers would consider the recommendations. "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. "Banning terror groups has made it harder for their activists to plan crimes - that approach should be extended to extreme protest groups too." Just Stop Oil said the government were the “dangerous radicals that are endangering all of us” through their climate policies. Palestine Action claimed its actions were in line with most of the British public who want an arms embargo between the UK and Israel, and the proposals would not deter their campaign. The new restriction orders "would be distinct from proscription on terrorism grounds", the report will say. But the mechanism could limit the activities of organisations that have a policy of using criminal offences or causing serious disruption to influence government or public debate. If a group’s actions were persistent, and used to promote a political or ideological cause, that would count against them, according to the recommendation. It will come as part of a review into tackling political violence by Lord Walney - the former Labour MP John Woodcock - which was commissioned three years ago, but is yet to be published. A government source said ministers shared Lord Walney’s objectives and would consider implementing his recommendations once the review was published. A Home Office spokesperson said: “Extremism of any kind has no place in our society and we will not tolerate tactics that set out to intimidate, threaten or cause disruption to the law-abiding majority. "In recent months, we have also witnessed a small number of protesters display violent and hateful behaviour, and the police have our full support in tackling extremism and hate crime. “We are considering the report's recommendations extremely carefully and will respond in due course.” " https://lnkd.in/enHHS8rF

We're sleep walking into authoritarianism, whilst being shown this facade of democracy. Everyone seems to be okay with it, even the opposite party is complicit with genocide and draconian laws. "It's not my problem, because it doesn't affect me" ... until it does... then it's too late.

In a world that desperately needs action, it's heartbreaking to witness the silencing of those who stand at the forefront of the climate movement. This article by Owen Jones paints a stark picture of the current state of affairs, where governments, rather than taking decisive steps to mitigate the climate crisis, are persecuting the very individuals who are fighting for the survival of our planet. Having experienced the violence and resistance myself when I did a slow march with Just Stop Oil in July, I'm deeply moved by the courage and resilience of all these climate activists on the front line who put their liberties on the line for the future of our species. We've got everything to lose. They can throw everything they've got at us. We're not going to give up. This unjust treatment of climate activists is not only a violation of human rights but also a betrayal of future generations who will bear the consequences of our inaction. The climate crisis is not a distant threat. It is here, now, manifesting in extreme weather events and ecological collapse. Yet, instead of embracing the knowledge and passion of activists, the authorities choose to label them as extremists, distracting from the real issue at hand. Let's stand in solidarity with those who are unjustly targeted for their peaceful protests and advocacy. And lets remember that history looks kindly upon those who fight for what is right, not those who suppress the truth. https://lnkd.in/egGQC3Up