Skip to main content
The Morning Star Shop
Climate activists surround Court of Appeal in protest against harsh sentencing of environmentalists
Just Stop Oil sentences have ‘become symbolic and totemic of an increasingly oppressive’ government, naturalist Chris Packham says
The silent protest outside the Court of Appeal [Defend Our Juries]

HUNDREDS of people surrounded the Court of Appeal today as judges were urged to prevent street violence following the jailing of 16 Just Stop Oil (JSO) activists who had exercised their legal right to peaceful protest.

Environmentalists were handed the harshest sentences of their kind in modern British history last year after being refused protections under freedom of expression and assembly rights, the court heard.

The jailed activists had taken part in some of Britain’s highest profile climate protests, including climbing on gantries over the M25 and throwing soup over Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers at the National Gallery.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
Environment Secretary Steve Reed gives a speech at Kingfisher Wharf, London, following the publication of the Independent Water Commission report, July 21, 2025
Water / 21 July 2025
21 July 2025

Overhaul fails to end privatisation of troubled water sector 

A banner for Hillsborough Law, April 20, 2024
Hillsborough Law / 22 July 2025
22 July 2025