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Government attacks on right to protest sees largest number of demonstrators behind bars in generations, campaigners warn
File photo dated 17-03-2022 of climate change activist Louis McKechnie, who tied himself to the goalpost during last seasons Premier League match between Everton and Newcastle, and has been given a six-week prison sentence. Issue date: Friday September 30, 2022.
GOVERNMENT attacks on the right to protest have put the largest number of demonstrators behind bars in generations, campaigners have warned.
There are at least 54 people currently being held for taking part in protests, according to police monitoring group Netpol. This includes activists serving prison sentences and those remanded in jail awaiting trials.
The majority of those behind bars are supporters of the Just Stop Oil group, with over 150 activists imprisoned this year for taking part in actions such as blocking oil terminals and major highways in a bid to pressure ministers to halt all new oil and gas projects.
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Just six years cut from 41-year jail sentence for Just Stop Oil activists