George Monbiot, an environmental campaigner, burst into tears today while discussing his concerns about climate change. He was speaking live to the air after being jailed by nine Insulate Britain activists.
ITV’s Good Morning Britain interviewee, 58 year old Guardian columnist said: “I have two kids and I always think,” Did I do the right thing?” Then, he started crying.
Ben Shephard, the show’s host, said that George was very emotionally involved and that he is thinking about his family as the camera snatched away from Monbiot.
He spoke about climate change after Insulate Britain protestors were taken to jail for breaking injunctions that are meant to keep disruptive blockades from happening.
Susanna Reid asked Mr Monbiot: “What should we do to get everyone to feel the same way you are?”
George Monbiot breaks down on Good Morning Britain Today as an environmental activist
The writer of 58 years old said that he had two children, and each day ponders if he did the right thing.
Sixteen of nine Insulate Britain activists were sentenced yesterday at London’s High Court.
He responded: “I’m a father to two kids and I always think, Did I do the right things ?'”‘.?” Speaking from Oxford, Mr Monbiot burst into tears, and then wiped his eyes.
Ms. Shephard intervened to add: “Dawn is clearly emotional for George, and he’s thinking of his family.” Dawn Neesom, a contributor to the video was cut.
Husband of Insulate Britain Hunger Striker ‘terrified,’ But Supports Her Decision
Insulate Britain protester’s husband, who is currently in prison on hunger strike, says that he supports his wife’s decision but is “terrified” for her.
Andy Smith (45) said that he had discussed with Emma Smart, a scientist and their plans to stop eating together if Emma was imprisoned for violating an injunction.
Smart, aged 44, received a sentence of four months imprisonment yesterday.
Emma Smart and Andy Smith her husband
Smith is an independent climate activist who has never taken part with Insulate Britain in protests. She makes the right decisions. I support her. They are morally right here and she stands firm to her convictions.
“She is a passionate individual who spent most of her adult life working to protect wildlife and the environment. It’s deeply embedded in her being.
She said that her freedom to march on the streets and demonstrate has been removed from her. Therefore, she decided to embark on a hunger strike while in prison. The nine men in court today seemed quite determined that you could sentence them. However, this won’t resolve the problem. Protests will continue.
‘Obviously I’m terrified. Although it’s terrible for her, I support her choice to endure this.
Smith stated that he knew Smart was going to go on a hunger strike even if she were put behind bars. “It is something that we talk quite often, the various ways we can make sacrifices for injustices,” he stated.
Monbiot stated that activists “expected to be penalized for violating the law.” He added: “What they are desperately trying to do and that is what we truly want now is to tell the world, “Look, it’s getting late, there’s no time left to solve the most difficult crisis we have ever experienced.
It is nearly impossible to comprehend what we face now.
It’s the end for all our hopes, dreams, ambitions, loves, hates and everything that we have hoped for for our children. The good world we desire for them.
“If the global systems and earth’s systems reach a tipping point then the planet could flip from a habitable to uninhabitable condition.”
However, former Daily Star editor Ms Neesom claimed that: “I’m as environmentally-conscious as you can be. I have bikes all around me and don’t own a car.
‘However [Insulate Britain]Doesn’t seem like they are doing anything to help the cause. You must be actively promoting the cause to become a martyr.
Insulate Britain started a protest wave in September. They blocked M25 and other London roads, including roads around Parliament and roads in Birmingham and Manchester.
Nine supporters were held at the High Court of London yesterday after admitting to breaking the injunction and participating in the blockade at Junction 25 of M25.
Ana Heyatawin (58) and Louis McKechnie (20), were both sentenced to three months in jail. Ben Buse, 36 and Roman Paluchnik, 28, Oliver Rock, 42, Emma Smart (44), Tim Speers (36) and James Thomas (47) all received four month sentences.
Ben Taylor (37), submitted to court Tuesday. Dame Victoria Sharp described his submissions as “inflammatory” and a “call to arms”. He was thus sentenced to a six-month longer term “to discourage him from further violations.”
With Mr Justice Chamberlain as his judge, the judge stated that custodial sentences were mandatory because the actions of the group were so severe and they made it very clear they would continue to ignore court orders.
She stated that the defendants or some of them seem determined to become martyrs for their cause. The media campaigns surrounding this hearing appear to support this. However, we must act with dispassionateness and proportionality.
As security personnel led them through the dock, the group of supporters and the group shouted, “We’re unstoppable. A new world is possible.”
Raj Chada of Hodge Jones and Allen, who was a solicitor, supported protesters and said that: “With these prison sentences, the long and honorable tradition civil disobedience has been under attack again.
Ben Taylor, Insulate Britain activist (left), at yesterday’s High Court was sentenced to six months in prison. He boasted that he would block roads again immediately if he wasn’t imprisoned. Roman Paluchuch-Machnik (right), yesterday was one of six activists who were held for four months.
Oliver Rock (right), and Emma Smart (left), receive hugging outside of the court yesterday
Yesterday, Nine Insulate Britain Eco Zealots were arrested after they admitted to violating an injunction
“Rather than allowing courts to hold those who raise alarms, the government should take action to safeguard us from the climate crisis.”
Insulate Britain states it plans to keep up the protests that have angered motorists and prompted them to call for a halt to the Government’s insularization of their homes. Five injunctions have been issued by the High Court to stop protestors from blocking roads.
There are four injunctions that were issued to National Highways. They prohibit protests from taking place on the M25 or around the Port of Dover, as well as on other roads throughout London. The one granted to Transport for London is also included. TfL received a civil ban order to stop protestors from blocking traffic on the city’s most important roads.
Contempt could result in a conviction for those who violate the injunctions and could face either a two-year sentence in prison or a fine unlimited.
Other Insulate Britain protesters could face further committal proceedings by the middle of next week. These will relate to the protests that took place on October 27, 2012. Protests of October 29th and November 2nd could be subject to proceedings.