Three supporters of the Just Stop Oil movement are facing sentencing today after being convicted of public nuisance. Cressie Gethin, Emma Mani, and Alexander Wilcox took action during the scorching heatwave of 2022, demanding an end to new fossil fuel licensing and consent by the UK government.
The trio’s activism unfolded against the backdrop of soaring temperatures, with the mercury hitting a record-breaking 40.3 degrees Celsius. Their protest, which saw five supporters scaling motorway gantries above the M25, occurred just days after the government’s net zero strategy was deemed unlawful.
Emma Mani and Alexander Wilcox pleaded guilty to the charge of public nuisance. However, Cressie Gethin proceeded to trial, which commenced on 5th February 2024 at Isleworth Crown Court. Despite facing restrictions on discussing her motivations and being denied a legal defence by the judge, Gethin was convicted by a majority verdict of ten to two.
Renowned naturalist Chris Packham provided testimony at the trial, emphasizing the urgency and universality of Gethin’s demand. “It’s not ‘her’ cause – it’s THE cause,” Packham remarked. He also criticized the fairness of the proceedings, calling the UK’s protest laws and sentencing of protesters unjust and undemocratic.
Trudi Warner, who recently had her charges of contempt dismissed by the High Court for advocating jury equity, expressed concerns about the trial’s fairness. She noted that jurors were unable to hear the full testimony, raising questions about the verdict’s integrity.
Before her sentencing, Gethin issued a passionate statement, denouncing government inaction on climate change and urging ordinary people to stand up against environmental degradation. She accused decision-makers of prioritizing profits over human lives and called for collective action to combat the climate crisis.
The sentencing marks another chapter in the ongoing struggle between climate activists and government policies, highlighting the tensions surrounding environmental activism and the legal system.
