Just Stop Oil activists convicted for disruptive protests are appealing their jail terms, arguing they are disproportionate and unprecedented in British history. The Court of Appeal is hearing arguments from both sides, with the Crown Prosecution Service defending the sentences as justified given the activists' actions.
More than a dozen eco-activists are seeking to have their jail sentences reduced, claiming they are 'the highest of their kind in modern British history'. The Court of Appeal heard that 16 Just Stop Oil protesters, involved in four separate actions, were locked up for between 15 months and five years.
Their demonstrations, between August and November 2022, included climbing on gantries over the M25 motorway, throwing soup over Vincent van Gogh's Sunflowers at London's National Gallery, and occupying tunnels leading to the Navigator Oil Terminal in Thurrock, Essex. Danny Friedman KC, one of several lawyers representing the group, argued that their sentences are unprecedented in the history of civil disobedience in the UK. He compared their actions to past waves of social and political activism, such as the fight against poverty and hunger, the marches against fascists, and the miners' strike, highlighting that those involved in such movements did not receive such harsh sentences for non-violent actions. Friedman emphasized that living in a democratic society inevitably involves times of conflict and tension. He stressed that the activists acted out of a sense of sacrifice, believing their actions served the public interest, the planet, and future generations. He also argued that the focus on deterrence through harsh sentences is misplaced, as it lacks scientific backing and its effectiveness is difficult to prove. However, the Crown Prosecution Service is opposing the appeal bids, claiming the sentences were not 'wrong in law'. They maintain that the 'bargain' for leniency is conditional on protesters exercising moderation in the harm they cause, and that the activists' actions constitute a clear rejection of the citizen's obligation to obey the law and respect the rights of others.The Crown Prosecution Service argued that the activists' stated intention to continue breaking the law justifies the court's decision to impose significant sentences. Some of the activists joined the appeal hearing, which is expected to last two days, by video link from various prisons. The hearing before The Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr, Mr Justice Lavender and Mr Justice Griffiths is set to conclude on Thursday. The outcome of this appeal could have significant implications for future environmental protests and the balance between the right to protest and the need to maintain public order
JUST STOP OIL PROTESTS SENTENCES APPEAL CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISM DETERRENCE COURT OF APPEAL UK LAW
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