The Just Stop Oil (JSO) activists are appealing their prison sentences
The climate campaigners who were handed down long jail terms for direct action are appealing against their sentences—and asking for solidarity. Everyone should back them.
On Tuesday, Cressie Gethin, Roger Hallam, Lou Lancaster, Daniel Shaw and Lucia Whittaker De Abreu, known as the “Whole Truth Five”, formally launched their appeal.
On 18 July, judge Christopher Hehir jailed Hallam for five years and the others for four years. They were planning peaceful disruption of the M25 in opposition to the previous government’s plans to “max out” on oil and gas.
Legal charity Plan B says, “Those convicted for their part in racist rioting have so far been sentenced to between two months and three years in prison”.
It may be some months before the Court of Appeal hears the climate activists’ appeal.
Lawyers for the Whole Truth Five argue the sentences were manifestly excessive. They say the judge failed to recognise Britain’s legal obligation under international conventions not to penalise, persecute or harass “environmental defenders”.
Lawyers also say the judge refused to take into consideration the overwhelming threat to human life from greenhouse gas emissions.
The sentences followed a trial where the judge stopped the defendants from producing evidence about the immediacy of the threat of climate breakdown. The court also prevented them from arguing for the importance of direct action in bringing about political change.
A spokesperson for Just Stop Oil said, “Direct action works. Following decades of denial, it was only after Extinction Rebellion’s blockades of London bridges in April 2019 that the British Parliament declared a climate emergency and introduced a net zero target.
“It was only after Just Stop Oil’s disruption to the M25 that Keir Starmer committed to ending licences for new oil and gas.”
Tim, a spokesperson for the campaign, told Socialist Worker, “The Five have always insisted that this is not just a matter of their own jailings. The case is an example of a wider pattern of people imprisoned for political reasons.
“We believe the repression is driven by corporate interest and fossil fuel entities in particular. It hits campaigners against climate breakdown—and those such as in Palestine Action who protest over what is happening in Gaza.
“We do not know when the appeal will be held, but different groups are planning to launch a campaign soon to free political prisoners, including those in jail for taking action to prevent crimes against humanity”.
“We would urge trade unionists, campaigners and everyone else to join us, support the Five and demand an end to all political repression.”
What now for Greens?
Unions have called a general strike
