Protesters Gather Outside London Court in Solidarity with Climate Activists

Image Courtesy: Alisdare Hickson via Wikimedia Commons

Over the last few days, hundreds of protesters have campaigned outside the Royal Courts of Justice in Westminster. The protests are in response to the sentencing of 16 prosecuted Just Stop Oil activists. The current sentences imposed range from 15 months to five years.

Public opinion has criticised these punishments as being excessive and dismissive of the severity of climate change. Some interpret the sentences as a threat to the right to peaceful protest, and see the success of the appeals as essential to upholding England’s democracy. 

All 16 protesters were imprisoned last year after staging activist stunts under the demand that the UK stop approving fossil fuel projects. 10 of the 16 were imprisoned for disrupting traffic on the M25 on several occasions.

Roger Hallam, co-founder of Extinction Rebellion, received a 5-year sentence after leading protests on the M25 for four days. Roger’s trial, which included 4 other activists, sparked controversy after the judge ruled any mention of the climate crisis as being inadmissible in court, restricting defence attorneys. Other high-profile demonstrations included throwing soup onto the protective glass that covers Van Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers’ displayed in the National Gallery, and occupying a tunnel in Grays for 13 days. 

Many have accused the demonstrators of being disruptive and extreme, while supporters have argued disruptive protest is necessary in order to gain media coverage and raise awareness. In light of several high-profile flood and wildfire catastrophes across the globe, conversations surrounding climate responsibility and capitalist negligence have intensified.

Those protesting in support of the 16 appellants have accused the court of corruption, and believe that the political influence of major polluters and high-emission industries has impacted sentencing decisions. As a result, protesters have blocked roads in front of the court, holding signs with slogans such as “Corruption in Court” and “Free Political Protesters”.