LONDON—Emma Ireland and Charles Philip Laurie faced a team of lawyers from a multinational oil and gas company outside a courtroom, eyes closed in preparation.
Ireland, a 40-year-old mental health worker from Bristol, donned a turquoise cardigan, gray skirt, tights, and combat boots. Laurie, a 61-year-old retired civil engineer and Quaker, wore a plaid shirt, cargo pants, and a keffiyeh supporting Palestine.
On October 22, Ireland and Laurie attended the first day of a two-day hearing against three injunctions by Shell. These sought to restrict protests at Shell’s Essex refinery, its London office, and gas stations across the U.K.
Supported by Just Stop Oil members, ranging from teenagers to retirees, Ireland led them in a grounding exercise, expressing gratitude for natural elements.
Both Ireland and Laurie were named in the injunction on gas stations due to their participation in a 2022 protest. Representing themselves, they argued the injunctions violated their rights under the Aarhus Convention, a treaty supporting environmental activism. Shell’s lawyers insisted the protests were unlawful and harmful to the company.
On December 5, Justice Dexter Dias of the High Court granted all three injunctions to Shell, which will remain for five years. Violating the injunctions could result in fines or imprisonment.
The injunction on gas stations prohibits protests that disrupt fuel supply or sales. Although such actions are already illegal, the injunction aims to further deter them.
Anti-protest injunctions targeting environmental activists have become common in the U.K. A BBC analysis found over 400 activists named in court orders restricting protests at more than 1,200 locations. Critics argue these injunctions suppress dissent.
Charlie Holt, from Global Climate Legal Defense, expressed concern over growing repression of climate activism in the U.K., linking it to increased police powers and punitive laws.
A University of Bristol report highlighted rising criminalization of environmental protests globally. This includes excessive policing and threats. Similar trends are seen in the U.S., with increased anti-protest laws targeting fossil fuel infrastructure.
Laurie, despite disappointment, was unsurprised by the ruling. He and Ireland were the only ones to attend court among 14 named defendants. They hoped their stand would inspire others.
Initially, they risked financial debt if they lost, due to English rules allowing winners to claim costs. However, Shell decided not to pursue costs, citing the defendants’ respectful conduct and new public importance issues raised during the hearing.
Michael Gerrard, an environmental lawyer, saw potential value in Shell’s decision, suggesting it could be referenced in future cases to prevent financial crippling.
A “Shrinking Space” for Protest
Climate activists in the U.K. face long prison sentences and protest restrictions, including the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act of 2022. This legislation, backed by a think tank with fossil fuel ties, is criticized for its harshness.
Jan Goodey, a Just Stop Oil activist, discussed increased sentencing in line with escalating climate issues, decrying reliance on oil and unequal wealth distribution.
Michel Forst, UN rapporteur, criticized the U.K.’s approach to environmental defenders, particularly the use of civil injunctions to restrict protests.
Oscar Berglund, from the University of Bristol, described injunctions as giving corporations undue legal power, suppressing protest.
A Shell spokesperson stated the injunctions target only unlawful protests to ensure safety.
Just Stop Oil, known for high-profile actions, uses civil disobedience inspired by historical movements like the American Freedom Riders.
During a 2022 protest, Ireland and Laurie were arrested but did not damage property. They await trial in 2025.
Gerrard noted the injunction’s focus on already illegal acts rendered the court’s decision unsurprising.
However, advocates argue that legal measures against unlawful protest can still suppress legitimate dissent, given civil disobedience’s historic importance.
Laurie speculated that such injunctions indicate pressure on oil companies from activists.
Communicating the Crisis
Ireland, previously uninvolved in protests, felt aligned with Just Stop Oil’s nonviolent approach upon joining in 2022.
In court, she expressed hope that Shell would understand their protest was necessary given its impact on climate change.
Shell, aware of fossil fuels’ effects since the 1970s, has been criticized for weakening emission targets.
Laurie, motivated by his Quaker faith, emphasized the need to protest against Shell’s profit-driven approach.
Rising Repression Meets Grassroots Resistance
In response to rising restrictions, activists are also advocating for protest rights alongside climate issues.
Actions like dressing a Gandhi statue aimed to highlight current discrepancies in valuing historical and contemporary civil disobedience.
The “Free Political Prisoners” campaign seeks to release jailed activists and challenge repressive policies.
Friends of the Earth UK filed a case with the European Court of Human Rights against anti-protest injunctions, citing rights violations.
The Royal Courts of Justice will review sentences of activists jailed for nonviolent actions, including notable cases like the Van Gogh painting protestors.
Activists hope legal challenges will reverse trends toward reduced protest freedoms. Laurie hopes their stance encourages similar challenges.
Original Story at insideclimatenews.org