British Activist Gets 5 Years for Highway Blockade Protest

Photo: AFP

Five Environmental Activists Sentenced for M25 Motorway Disruption

In a landmark case, five environmental activists, including Roger Hallam and Daniel Shaw, have been convicted for their roles in the November 2022 M25 motorway disruption, according to the BBC. The protest, orchestrated by the group Just Stop Oil, aimed to block the major roadway, leading to substantial traffic jams, accidents, and delays that persisted for nearly four days. The financial repercussions of the event were estimated to exceed £1.8 million (Rs 19,47,28,935).

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Roger Hallam received a five-year prison sentence, while the other four activists were sentenced to four years each. The court highlighted the "intricate planning and level of sophistication" involved in the protest, underscoring the activists' dedication to climate change activism. This case marks the longest punishment under the new laws designed to suppress disruptive protests.

According to the news outlet, in the M25 protest case, activists Whittaker De Abreu and Gethin were apprehended near the motorway, dressed for climbing. Meanwhile, Lancaster rented a safe house and procured climbing gear for the operation. Lancaster defended her actions, citing the perceived failure of democratic methods to address the climate crisis, which she called a critical issue.

Gethin stated that the intention was to minimize disruption and placed the blame on those in power for not taking climate change seriously. Hallam, who had previously shifted from direct action to conventional campaigning, caused disruptions in court, leading to three arrests and encouraging supporters to protest outside the courtroom. This resulted in the arrest of 11 protesters for contempt, though charges were later dropped.

Hallam accused the judiciary of corruption and manipulation, framing his actions as essential for achieving climate justice. The new law under which the activists were sentenced, introduced in 2022, criminalizes direct actions that cause serious public harm. The judge emphasized the law's purpose to treat such actions with severe penalties, with sentences extending up to 10 years.

This case has sparked a significant debate about the balance between the right to protest and public safety, highlighting the lengths to which activists are willing to go to draw attention to the climate crisis.

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