![labourlewis's tweet photo. It is said dissent is the foundation of liberty. And yet the travesty of justice that took place today at Southwark Crown Court speaks to a democracy that is in danger of forgetting that at its peril.
We must not be numb to how extreme the sentences handed out today to peaceful protesters are, and how this marks an acceleration in Britain’s democratic decline. These are the longest ever sentences handed out for participation in peaceful, non-violent action.
These sentences have been made using the Tories’ new and draconian Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. So extreme is this law and its impact on environmental defenders, that earlier this year UN Special Rapporteur @ForstMichel "seriously question[ed] the necessity and proportionality of such conditions for persons engaging in peaceful protest" and was "distressed to see how environmental defenders are derided by some of the mainstream UK media and in the political sphere".
Following the sentencing today, @Global_Witness has said the UK is "becoming one of the most dangerous countries in the western world to speak up in defence of our planet."
The ability to peacefully protest is integral to a healthy and robust democracy. Its criminalisation speaks to a deeper malaise. One that calls into question the health of some fundamental democratic cornerstones.
The last Conservative government was one of the most authoritarian we have ever seen in this country. It changed the law to deny defendants the right to use as a defence their concern about the climate crisis and in so doing to speak truth to power.
That power is oil corporations and the big business interests that benefit from its continued extraction. Extraction that will cost us all dearly.
It is why I spoke in solidarity with the five climate protestors. And it is why I back their calls for a meeting between campaigners, scientists and the Attorney General to discuss their case and the laws which saw them imprisoned.
These laws in question should be repealed and the five wrongly imprisoned, pardoned. Our current government must not only undo the damage the last one did to our democracy, but it must also strengthen and protection our democracy with new laws and institutions that protect it in the knowledge that authoritarian governments may follow them the years to come.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GSyq8HfWYAAAA8Q.jpg)
Olivia
Online
Rev James Christie Brown
@JamesChristieB
Associate Vicar of All Saints, Batford, Parish of Harpenden. Singer-songwriter. Nature lover. Beer drinker. Chicken keeper. Husband.
Harpenden
Joined July 2013
676 Following
197 Followers
1K Posts
Advent begins this Sunday with a very special walk in the dark... we would love to see you there 🌖🌘🌔
Do you know someone who would like to join us for this exciting time on the 8th Dec?
Our Christmas services and events 🙌🎄⭐️
Please share this post and invite friends and neighbours to specific events so we celebrate this wonderful time, with its wonderful news, with wonderful people ⭐️
#christmas #batford #harpenden
Delighted that Erin O'Sullivan is with us through the season of advent, capturing its scenes & meaning in her beautiful painting
Find her here https://t.co/gZ31Wg0lTC
We'll post sketches & works in progress in the coming weeks & plan to display finished works in the new year
Who to follow
Francis Su - mostly posting at 🦋
@mathyawp
Professor, writer, truth & grace seeker, Past-Pres @maanow. Opinions my own. Book: Mathematics for Human Flourishing (2020) @Math4HF https://t.co/fjjDI4LVtq
Vicar Atalie
@AtalieVicar
Chaplain
St Helens and St Peters Churches
@StHStPChurch
Church of England churches in the heart of Wheathampstead.
👇
It is said dissent is the foundation of liberty. And yet the travesty of justice that took place today at Southwark Crown Court speaks to a democracy that is in danger of forgetting that at its peril.
We must not be numb to how extreme the sentences handed out today to peaceful protesters are, and how this marks an acceleration in Britain’s democratic decline. These are the longest ever sentences handed out for participation in peaceful, non-violent action.
These sentences have been made using the Tories’ new and draconian Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. So extreme is this law and its impact on environmental defenders, that earlier this year UN Special Rapporteur @ForstMichel "seriously question[ed] the necessity and proportionality of such conditions for persons engaging in peaceful protest" and was "distressed to see how environmental defenders are derided by some of the mainstream UK media and in the political sphere".
Following the sentencing today, @Global_Witness has said the UK is "becoming one of the most dangerous countries in the western world to speak up in defence of our planet."
The ability to peacefully protest is integral to a healthy and robust democracy. Its criminalisation speaks to a deeper malaise. One that calls into question the health of some fundamental democratic cornerstones.
The last Conservative government was one of the most authoritarian we have ever seen in this country. It changed the law to deny defendants the right to use as a defence their concern about the climate crisis and in so doing to speak truth to power.
That power is oil corporations and the big business interests that benefit from its continued extraction. Extraction that will cost us all dearly.
It is why I spoke in solidarity with the five climate protestors. And it is why I back their calls for a meeting between campaigners, scientists and the Attorney General to discuss their case and the laws which saw them imprisoned.
These laws in question should be repealed and the five wrongly imprisoned, pardoned. Our current government must not only undo the damage the last one did to our democracy, but it must also strengthen and protection our democracy with new laws and institutions that protect it in the knowledge that authoritarian governments may follow them the years to come.
![labourlewis's tweet photo. It is said dissent is the foundation of liberty. And yet the travesty of justice that took place today at Southwark Crown Court speaks to a democracy that is in danger of forgetting that at its peril.
We must not be numb to how extreme the sentences handed out today to peaceful protesters are, and how this marks an acceleration in Britain’s democratic decline. These are the longest ever sentences handed out for participation in peaceful, non-violent action.
These sentences have been made using the Tories’ new and draconian Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. So extreme is this law and its impact on environmental defenders, that earlier this year UN Special Rapporteur @ForstMichel "seriously question[ed] the necessity and proportionality of such conditions for persons engaging in peaceful protest" and was "distressed to see how environmental defenders are derided by some of the mainstream UK media and in the political sphere".
Following the sentencing today, @Global_Witness has said the UK is "becoming one of the most dangerous countries in the western world to speak up in defence of our planet."
The ability to peacefully protest is integral to a healthy and robust democracy. Its criminalisation speaks to a deeper malaise. One that calls into question the health of some fundamental democratic cornerstones.
The last Conservative government was one of the most authoritarian we have ever seen in this country. It changed the law to deny defendants the right to use as a defence their concern about the climate crisis and in so doing to speak truth to power.
That power is oil corporations and the big business interests that benefit from its continued extraction. Extraction that will cost us all dearly.
It is why I spoke in solidarity with the five climate protestors. And it is why I back their calls for a meeting between campaigners, scientists and the Attorney General to discuss their case and the laws which saw them imprisoned.
These laws in question should be repealed and the five wrongly imprisoned, pardoned. Our current government must not only undo the damage the last one did to our democracy, but it must also strengthen and protection our democracy with new laws and institutions that protect it in the knowledge that authoritarian governments may follow them the years to come.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GSyq9gfWAAA94vU.jpg)
@AccidentalP ‘I’m just going to talk over you. I’m not driving a mini metro. I’m not driving a mini metro…’
Sam Coates: Did you tell Craig Williams the date of the election?
Rishi Sunak: I'm furious... it's just not right for me to say anything more
SC: You know the answer to the question... you can't prejudice an investigation.. you absolutely can answer this question
@foggyknitter Prayers for your headspace 🙏
A little gift from All Saints Church to brighten your day this Mothering Sunday
Whether today is joyous or difficult, please come by and take a posie for someone you love 💐💐
They will be there all afternoon. 129 Station Road
#batford #harpenden #motheringsunday #MothersDay
@elismatthews It is the queen bees, emerging from hibernation 🐝🐝
That’s why they’re all massive ones.
#beefacts
It’s a warm day I guess. Winters over!
Chitty chitty bang bang #gardening
Jennifer Lopez to produce Bob the Builder movie https://t.co/W7qP4BplRA
Some traditions I love!
I cried at Midnight Communion again.
Bless you all this Christmas 🌟
#clergymaltclub
Why I love singing #Christmas carols by #Harpenden associate vicar @JamesChristieB of All Saints Church, in today’s @hertsad #FaithFocus
You're welcome to join this THURSDAY 🔥❄️🍷
Harpenden friends, come and celebrate 🎉 🌲
#harpenden
⭐️CHRISTMAS AT ALL SAINTS ⭐️
Please share this friends and neighbours (on social media, local WhatsApp groups etc.) ⭐️
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