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https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/apr/23/jury-acquits-extinction-rebellion-protesters-despite-no-defence-in-law>
"All those who stood trial explained they had targeted the Shell building
because the oil giant was directly contributing to the climate crisis, thereby
causing serious injury and death, and argued that it was a “necessary” and
“proportionate” response to the harm being caused.
Clifford quoted Sir David Attenborough and former archbishop of Canterbury
Rowan Williams in his evidence.
He said: “I believe if I don’t do whatever I can to protect our Earth, to
protect life on this Earth, to stop the death and injury that is and will be
happening, I’m committing a crime, a really serious crime, and I’m willing to
break a window, to paint a message on a wall, I’m willing to break the glass on
that emergency button, even if some say that’s a crime.
“Because this is a much bigger crime and I’m trying to stop that crime, I’m
trying to protect life in the only way I feel I can.”
Judge Gregory Perrins directed jurors that even if they thought the protesters
were “morally justified”, it did not provide them with a lawful excuse to
commit criminal damage.
With the exception of Saunders, who claimed in his defence that he honestly
believed Shell’s employees and shareholders would have consented to his
criminal damage, the judge said: “They don’t have any defence in law for the
charges they face.”
But the jury of seven women and five men took seven hours and four minutes to
acquit them of both charges. Some of the defendants waved at jurors, several of
whom were visibly emotional, as they left court."
Via Glyn Moody, who wrote "setting a great example"
Share and enjoy,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
