Environmental campaigners win landmark case
History has been made in Maidstone. Not a line you’re likely to hear very often. But late yesterday afternoon, a decision was made in the town’s Crown Court which could transform environmental campaigning in the UK for the better.
In October 2007, five activists scaled the chimney of Kingsnorth coal fired power station, Kent – which was later the focus of this year’s Climate Camp. Once up the tower, they had intended to advise the Prime Minister on his coal based energy policy: ‘Gordon, bin it.’ They got as far as writing ‘Gordon,’ before being ordered to stop by a high court injunction, served from a helicopter’s loudspeaker.
The five, plus one other who helped organise from the ground, were arrested and charged with criminal damage to the tune of £30,000. Instead of putting forward a simple guilty or not guilty verdict, the six took a chance with a caveat in the criminal damage law, the concept of lawful excuse.
Though they had damaged the Kingsnorth building, they did so in order to prevent the far worse damage that would result from runaway climate change. Witnesses, from leading climate scientist and Tory (seriously) advisor Jim Hansen, to Inuit leader Aqqaluk Lynge were there to give evidence for the campaigners.
And it worked! The jury ruled in their favour and all six were found not guilty.
In a time where conventional campaigning is routinely ignored by politicians, direct action like that seen at Kingsnorth is becoming the only way environmentalists can have a say. With 29 others soon to face court for obstructing a coal delivery to Kingsnorth this June, fingers crossed that jury will come to the same conclusion.
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