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Extinction Rebellion founder jailed for five years!

(204 Posts)
Urmstongran Thu 18-Jul-24 20:09:38

Blimey.

From The Telegraph just now:

“ The founder of Extinction Rebellion has been jailed for five years in what is believed to be the longest sentence for non-violent protest in the UK.

Roger Hallam was found guilty of conspiring to block traffic as part of a Just Stop Oil campaign on the M25 over four days of disruption in November 2022.”

GrannyGravy13 Thu 18-Jul-24 20:15:10

Along with his four compatriots who got four years.

This hissy fit caused absolute chaos, it was nigh on impossible to move within a 10 mile radius.

Iam64 Thu 18-Jul-24 20:16:16

This has been discussed on the Timpson thread. Only by a few and I’m sure they’ll pop in here. I was shocked at the length of the sentences and initially thought suspended sentence plus community service better. Google sentencing tells me suspended is a prison sentence so can’t be combined with community punishments. It’s one or the other. In addition, suspended can only be used if the prison sentence would be two years

These protesters caused chaos and disruption which probably caused financial problems for individuals and tax payers. If not locked up, they’re likely to repeat. If they are locked up, will their follow believers risk long jail time

Primrose53 Thu 18-Jul-24 20:16:35

Great news. Cheered me up no end!

Mind you they will only do 40% of that thanks toStarmer.

Iam64 Thu 18-Jul-24 20:17:42

Urmston has started a thread on this - it deserves a thread of its own

eazybee Thu 18-Jul-24 20:17:55

Good.
At last.

rafichagran Thu 18-Jul-24 20:22:24

I am pleased.

Urmstongran Thu 18-Jul-24 20:23:36

“Judge Christopher Hehir said the fact protests were organised over a Zoom call, which was infiltrated by a journalist from The Sun, showed the protests were “intricately planned” and was “compelling evidence” of a conspiracy.

Passing the sentence, he said: “I acknowledge that at least some of the concerns are shared by many, but the plain fact is that each of you has some time ago crossed the line from concerned campaigner to fanatic.

“You have appointed yourselves as sole arbiters of what should be done about climate change.”

GrannyGravy13 Thu 18-Jul-24 20:24:33

It definitely caused our business logistical problems, along with many others.

The cars stuck in traffic jams were producing far more fumes and for longer than on an unobstructed journey.

Urmstongran Thu 18-Jul-24 20:25:54

“ People missed flights, funerals and cancer appointments’
Judge Hehir said the disruption had affected every section of the motorway, one of the most important road links around London.

“People missed flights, people missed funerals, students were delayed for their mock exam,” he said. “A child with special needs on his way to school missed part of the school day and his medication which placed the taxi driver at risk as he can become volatile without his medication.

“An individual suffering from aggressive cancer missed an appointment as a cancer patient and had to wait another two months for another appointment.”

😢

Urmstongran Thu 18-Jul-24 20:27:45

“ Packham: Sentences are ‘disproportionately high’
Speaking after the protesters, TV naturalist Chris Packham said: “At this point I feel physically sick, and I don’t think I’ve ever felt that in this way ever before.

“I’ve just watched what can only be described as judicial thuggery, a total disregard for any mitigation circumstances when it came to sentencing. Disproportionately high sentences given to peaceful climate protesters in a world which is on fire.

“In a world which is burning and flooding. In a world in the midst of a biodiversity crisis.”

Kandinsky Thu 18-Jul-24 20:30:15

Not long enough imo.

Smileless2012 Thu 18-Jul-24 20:34:14

This is very good news smile.

Grammaretto Thu 18-Jul-24 20:39:17

It makes me truly sad that so many of you grans are so at odds with my views.

Why send them to jail when our jails are overflowing?

They haven't attacked anyone. It's non violent.

I am totally in agreement with Chris Packham

GrannyGravy13 Thu 18-Jul-24 20:44:13

Grammaretto

It makes me truly sad that so many of you grans are so at odds with my views.

Why send them to jail when our jails are overflowing?

They haven't attacked anyone. It's non violent.

I am totally in agreement with Chris Packham

What would you suggest is an appropriate punishment ?

GrannyGravy13 Thu 18-Jul-24 20:45:30

Disclaimer I live within 10 minutes drive from the QEII bridge.

Primrose53 Thu 18-Jul-24 20:48:49

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

NotSpaghetti Thu 18-Jul-24 20:51:05

This is a travesty.
I’m with you Grammaretto.

Grammaretto Thu 18-Jul-24 20:52:21

GrannygGravy I don't think they should be punished at all.

Urmstongran Thu 18-Jul-24 20:53:27

Made my day hearing this news.

Kandinsky Thu 18-Jul-24 20:53:31

They are a menace.
It’s not a peaceful protest when they are deliberately causing extreme disruption to thousands of people.

Grammaretto Thu 18-Jul-24 20:54:11

Primrose do you think people should be jailed for being on the autistic spectrum! ?

Galaxy Thu 18-Jul-24 20:58:11

I am not autistic and think they shouldnt have been jailed, dh who has a diagnosis is undecided. So nothing to do with autism I suspect.

GrannyGravy13 Thu 18-Jul-24 21:02:53

FFS, I am currently teen sitting one of whom is on the autism spectrum.

What the hell has disregarding the law, disrupting and disrespecting people’s livelihoods got to do with being neurdiverse!

Urmstongran Thu 18-Jul-24 21:03:01

Let's all cancel Chris Packham while we're at it. He's a graduate Zoologist, not a Climate Scientist, yet pontificates on matters of which he knows little. A presumptuous little twerp, holier than thou, and a lot richer to boot.