The CavershamNail

Home of The Caversham Nail

[Clive Lewis MP @labourlewis]

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These laws in question should be repealed and the five wrongly imprisoned, pardoned.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.

[The CavershamNail @CavershamNail]

I just signed a petition: No prison for protest. Sign here: https://t.co/ayEXgzLQ8a

[Peace & Justice Project @corbyn_project]

The prison sentences handed down to @JustStop_Oil protesters are an excessive and authoritarian attack on those standing up against government inaction on the climate crisis.

The real criminals are the fossil fuel giants destroying our planet for profit.
https://t.co/ah3cPDoxdW

[Country Moans @CountryMoans]

GABBA GABBA HEY! Come out this Saturday to see us in the Fox & Hounds all dayer in Caversham - we're on at 5 pm which I think we can all agree is when ALL gigs should start! #MatineePunk #NotGettingAnyYounger

[The CavershamNail @CavershamNail]

Get out and vote, then celebrate tonight with a succulent Chinese meal

#vote #FTT #democracymanifest

[The CavershamNail @CavershamNail]

Don't forget your ID today, people.

Vote Tactical

Vote Green

Fuck The Tories

that is all...

[Reading Green Party @reading_greens]

Thanks to everyone who supported @DaveJMcElroy's campaign in Reading and to those voting for him today 💚. Its clear to us that voters want a progressive alternative to Labour. If you would like to be part of growing that alternative then why not join us https://t.co/obu1ilA6nV

[Reading Green Party @reading_greens]

The climate emergency is the biggest issue in human history but it has not had the focus it should have had in this election- to change that and to transition successfully to a Green economy where noone is left behind #VoteGreen2024 and in Reading for @DaveJMcElroy 💚 🌍

[The Green Party @TheGreenParty]

💚 "You won't get Green unless you vote Green."

@HughFW with a message ahead of polling day on Thursday.

[Cllr Dr Dave McElroy @DaveJMcElroy]

This is tragic. A great example of where the far right offers blame and whips up hate rather than giving real solutions that would address the underlying problem and help this poor chap get his life back on track.

[Reading Museum @readingmuseum]

These lovely 'Biscuit Town' prints and cards by local artist Sally Castle are available in the Reading Museum shop

- celebrating Reading's illustrious past as the home of Huntley and Palmers Biscuits!

https://t.co/anPhwYRpUk

#RDG #RDGUK #BiscuitTown #HuntleyandPalmersBiscuits

[Ed Hawkins @ed_hawkins]

To all UK journalists: the climate crisis needs to feature more in this election campaign. You have an opportunity to put climate change on the front pages tomorrow.

Ask @UniofReading for the images you can use.

#ShowYourStripes

[Uni of Reading @UniofReading]

Four giant globes appear on campus.

As students drift away for their summer break, University gossip kicked into overdrive as four large orbs appeared overnight on our Whiteknights campus.

But where did they come from? What do they mean?

Find out more https://t.co/6j42yMhuqg

[The CavershamNail @CavershamNail]

Maybe plant some more trees? They'd end up like this. But the time is now.

[Reading Borough Council @ReadingCouncil]

It’s the start of Reading Climate Festival tomorrow.

Visit the @ReadingCAN team at Water Fest in Forbury Gardens, 11am-5pm, to find out about 30+ events and activities taking place over the next two weeks.

There's something for everyone:

https://t.co/zj6aCIsJMs

#rdguk

[Reading Water Fest @RdgWaterFest]

Wayne Hemingway, the co-founder of @CharityMkt, invites you to celebrate sustainable fashion with us!
👖🌿Join us on Saturday 8 June in the Forbury Gardens and find second-hand treasures at the Charity Super.Mkt stall!
#WaterFest2024

[What's On Reading @RDGWhatsOn]

Tomorrow, find that unique something when the Artists & Makers Fair returns to Caversham Methodists Church with loads of arts, crafts, jewellery and more for sale, plus kids activities and a cafe - this month, drinks proceeds will go to @ABCtoread!

https://t.co/5h4yhSp7MS

[Cllr Rob White (Green Party, Park Ward) @cllrrobwhite]

Green Party MP candidate Cllr Dave McElroy was out talking to residents in Katesgrove #rdguk yesterday. Greens now have all of the councillors here. In Reading Central Labour has 21 councillors, 8 Greens, 3 Tories and no Lib Dems. Get involved here https://t.co/eubo2WG4Yx

[The CavershamNail @CavershamNail]

Nice and shady under my tree today. Grab an ice cream and keep cool.

#caversham #rdguk #sunshine #sunny

[What's On Reading @RDGWhatsOn]

Progress Premieres.
Two BRAND NEW plays getting their first run EVER at @progresstheatre next month:
🕳️MOLES by Sarah Wright
Drama among staff in a WWII bunker...
🪦DIRT by Caroline White
A family of gravediggers encounter an extra corpse...

https://t.co/kgBfnK1udm

[Richard Benwell @RSBenwell]

🌳🧵Can you tell the difference between politicians who care about nature recovery and those who'll just back business as usual?

Here are 6 questions I'll be asking #GeneralElection candidates when they appear at my door.