5 Supporters of Animal Rebellion are today attending Southwark Crown Court for the first day of the trial for charges of criminal damage valued over £5000, after actions taken at Buckingham Palace in August 2021 [1].
The original action was a protest against the use of crown land for hunting and animal agriculture.
Amongst the defendants is Louis McKechnie, who was recently convicted of Public Nuisance for actions taken with Just Stop Oil at The British Grand Prix [2].
UPDATE: The trial for supporters of Animal Rebellion at Southwark Crown Court has been adjourned until 7th February, 2024.
Also on trial today are Marcus Decker and Morgan Trowland (at Basildon Crown Court,) for taking action with Just Stop Oil and disrupting the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge last October, on the charge of Public Nuisance [3].
Two trials begin today for supporters of Animal Rebellion and Just Stop Oil at Southwark and Basildon Crown Courts, respectively. Both trials were predicted to last for over a week, but one has already been adjourned until next year.
Supporters of Animal Rebellion who previously dyed the Buckingham Palace fountains red in 2021 have had their criminal damage case adjourned after the prosecution failed to provide the key evidence and witnesses required.
Animal Rebellion and Just Stop Oil both say the trials are a complete distraction from the real issues of the climate and ecological crises after last week’s IPCC report stated over 3 billion people are living in high-risk areas [4].
Orla Coghlan, 28, a children’s nurse and spokesperson for Animal Rebellion said:
“The fact that seven honest, good people are in trials less than a week after the latest IPCC report warned of catastrophic climate breakdown is utterly ludicrous. The need for action on the climate and ecological emergencies has never been more urgent and the solutions are right in front of us. Transitioning to a plant-based food system and renewables, over an archaic loyalty to animal farming and fossil fuels, is a no-brainer.”
A spokesperson for Just Stop Oil said:
“What we’re seeing with this week's trials is nothing less than a flat-out attempt to silence the voices of those telling us all what we need to hear. Putting ordinary people on trial does not change the fact that, already, millions are experiencing the worst impacts of climate breakdown across the globe. This will only worsen unless we make the decision to stop all new fossil fuels and move towards a sustainable food system.
The actions of this government are shameful, proposing to issue over 100 new fossil fuel licences in the face of every piece of evidence to the contrary, is nothing short of genocidal. Rishi Sunak and Suella Braverman will have the blood of millions of innocent people on their hands unless change happens urgently.”
Animal Rebellion is urging wholesale governmental and societal support for farmers and fishing communities to transition to a plant-based food system and programme of rewilding that will secure a future for generations to come.
Just Stop Oil is a coalition of groups working together to demand that the government immediately halt all future licensing and consents for the exploration, development and production of fossil fuels in the UK.
ENDS.
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Notes to Editors:
[1] https://animalrebellion.org/animal-and-climate-protestors-dye-buckingham-palace-fountains-blood-red/