Five activists from the environmental group Just Stop Oil have been sentenced to prison after conspiring to create gridlock on the M25 highway in London.
Roger Hallam, Daniel Shaw, Louise Lancaster, Lucia Whittaker De Abreu and Cressida Gethin were found guilty last week of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance for coordinating protests on the M25 in November 2022. Hallam received a five-year sentence, while the others were sentenced to four years.
The activists reportedly had a Zoom call in which they attempted to recruit more volunteers for a blockade at strategic spots on the motorway. During the call, Hallam stated their intention to cause "the biggest disruption in British modern history" to pressure the UK government into ending new oil and gas exploration in the North Sea, according to The Guardian.
These sentences are the longest ever given in the UK for a non-violent protest. Judge Christopher Hehir, who issued the sentences, stated that the activists had "crossed the line from concerned campaigner to fanatic."
“The offending of all five of you is very serious indeed and lengthy custodial sentences must follow,” Hehir determined. He acknowledged the concerns of the climate protesters but emphasized that their actions had disregarded the principles of democracy and rule of law.
“Your fanaticism makes you entirely heedless of the rights of your fellow citizens. You have taken it upon yourselves to decide that your fellow citizens must suffer disruption and harm, and how much disruption and harm they must suffer, simply so that you may parade your views,” he added.
Judge Hehir ruled that the jury should not consider evidence regarding climate change in their decision, despite the defendants' attempts to use it as a defense for their actions. The defendants also argued for leniency by pointing to the newly elected Labour government's commitment to stopping oil and gas exploration, suggesting this reduced their likelihood of reoffending. However, their arguments were unsuccessful.
Many environmental activists have criticized the sentences as too harsh. However, the judge highlighted the significant impact such protests have on the public. During the trial, evidence was presented showing that the protests caused people to miss flights, funerals, exams, medical appointments, and work, among other disruptions.
