![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These laws in question should be repealed and the five wrongly imprisoned, pardoned.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
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Dr E Lewis-Holmes
@ellylh
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@mhdksafa Hello of course ! Sending love and solidarity
@itvnews @TheCanaryUK @DoubleDownNews @ReutersUK @damiengayle @TelegraphNews @daily_politics @BBCRadio4 @BBCBreaking @guardianeco #PolicyExchange are online, in the papers, on @BBCNews, posing as academic experts. In reality, they are lobbyists paid by oil and gas criminals like #ExxonMobil to lie about the danger and urgency of the #ClimateCrisis #RebelForTruth
#XRUK has four demands for @Policy_Exchange
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)
I just signed a petition: No prison for protest. Sign here: https://t.co/74DI1G5M8z
I agree @chrispackham Wrong to jail anyone for peaceful protest, & wrong that climate protesters can’t defend themselves with reference to the climate crisis. @10downingst must revoke the vicious legislation that enables this injustice. See you at Southwark Crown Court 18/6 @ 4pm
Now that prisoners - including some convicted of violent crimes - are being released early due to overcrowding, it is even more outrageous that peaceful climate protesters face jail. The Tories' authoritarian anti-protest laws must be repealed.
@Richard56 spoke with Juliette Brown, a psychiatrist and climate activist. She & 5 other health professionals were recently on trial accused of criminal damage to a JP Morgan building in London. But the jury refused to convict them.
Read full interview> https://t.co/COx1SAyNyz
Scientists will join many other groups this Saturday to get fossil fuel sponsors out of our beloved Science Museum
"If you belong to one of [the groups criticising the government] and you block a road, you might go to prison. If you are a farmer and you block a road, the prime minister might join you." https://t.co/mc7WTrbypy
UN: UK'S PERSECUTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENDERS UNLAWFUL
The UK is breaching the legally binding obligation under Art. 3(8) of the Aarhus Convention not to penalise or persecute peaceful environmental defenders
#Accountability #JudgeSilasReid
https://t.co/fDFN2o8wMZ
If you want to see Michelle Mone kicked out of the House of Lords and arrested until she pays the £232,000,000 she owes give this a RT.
We won't forget.
This week parliament will debate a #CeasefireNOW and for the UK to #StopArmingIsrael. This couldn't be more urgent. Israel's bombing of Gaza has already killed over 16,000 Palestinians. Please join me and lobby your MP using @PSCupdates online action https://t.co/KnR2hkvY8r
Jesse!!
https://t.co/Z6G3sCWzl9
Vernon Dudley Bohay Nowell of the Bonzos has died. The finest saw player in the world. And the singer of the filthiest songs I ever heard. A very funny and charming man. The best company on the tour bus. 'Queech' x
WINDOW BREAKING NEWS: 9 NOT GUILTY
The jury has reached a unanimous verdict in the case of 9 women who broke the windows of @HSBC_UK – Europe’s 2nd largest investor in #fossilfuels
For full press release:
https://t.co/ZbAZIm7ysm
Half a Century of Wisdom: PALS Legend Prof. McClelland Retires after 50 Years | UCL Psychology and Language Sciences - UCL – University College London https://t.co/nxnVrVMZe3
💥BREAKING💥
Protesters occupy City Of London insurers’ offices demanding they reject climate-wrecking projects in UK & Africa.
Ascot, Talbot & Chaucer have been targeted to demand they refuse to insure the West Cumbria coal mine & the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline.
#StopEACOP
This ! Just this ! Top work by @NLRebellion
The link between mental health issues and the climate crisis explored in this quote @XRPsychologists #worldmentalhealthday #mentalhealth #HealthForAll #RebelForTruth #UniteToSurvive #ClimateCrisis
How the climate crisis can affect mental health:
@XRPsychologists
#worldmentalhealthday #mentalhealth #HealthForAll #RebelForTruth #UniteToSurvive #ClimateCrisis
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