One of the nine Insulate Britain protesters appearing at the High Court today for breaking an injunction on their M25 demonstrations admitted he was ‘c**ping’ himself and felt like crying at the prospect of jail.
Oliver Roc, 41 is one among eco zealots of the Extinction Rebellion sideshoot. They have blocked roads for 19 consecutive days, causing chaos for motorists who are stuck in London and Manchester.
There have been 860 arrests and 161 activists were involved. If found guilty of contempt, nine activists will be summoned and could receive up to 2 years in jail, unlimited fines or seizure and forfeiture of their assets.
Ben Buse (36); Ana Heyatawin (58); Louis McKenchnie (20); Roman Paluch (28); Emma Smart (44); Tim Speers (36); James Thomas (47); and Ben Taylor (27) were the nine who appeared in a Committal Hearing this morning.
A very emotional Mr. Roc told the story LBC radio this morning: ‘I feel terrified – I’m c***ping myself this morning, and I feel like crying. All these emotions are coming from me. This situation seems absurd.
From left, the nine Insulate Britain protesters who appeared at today’s High Court are: Oliver Roc (41); Roman Paluch (28); Tim Speers (36); Emma Smart (44); Louis McKenchnie (20); James Thomas (47); Ana Heyatawin (58); Ben Taylor (27); and Ben Buse (36)
Before they appear at the High Court of London, this morning, nine Insulate Britain protestors hold two banners
Oliver Roc, left (at court today), is pictured at the protest group held in Parliament Square on November 4. (right).
“What we are asking the Government is a practical, no-brainer decision that they should make, but instead they choose to lock us up and fine us as well as seize our assets.
“I am expecting that we could be sentenced perhaps today or possibly tomorrow.” It’s quite likely that we will receive custodial sentences.
The nine had been due to hold a press conference in a Pret A Manger café across the road before the hearing, but Pret then told them they could not do so because the venue was not licensed to hold such kind of events.
Another 23 protestors have defied several of the injunctions issued to Transport for London or National Highways during these past two months.
Insulate Britain is expecting these 23 individuals to be summoned over the next days. That would mean that at most 32 people are expected to be found guilty of contempt of court.
Five injunctions have been issued by the High Court to stop protestors from blocking roads.
These injunctions were granted to National Highways to prohibit demonstrations along the M25 and around the Port of Dover, as well as on other major roads throughout London. One was also given to Transport for London (TfL).
TfL was issued a civil banning notice to prevent protesters blocking the traffic flow on some of capital’s busiest streets.
Yesterday, Mr McKechnie stated that if the government decides to jail us, then so be it. This will display their cowardice. They prefer to lock away pensioners rather than insulate their houses.
“They’d rather keep teachers locked up than make thousands of good jobs. My 21st birthday is coming up, and I will be sent to prison.
The government is more interested in locking up youth than taking steps to decrease emissions. They’ll lock us up, leaving thousands of people to freeze this winter and millions more to deal with climate change in the future.
Boris Johnson should speed up plans to insulate Britain’s homes, to reduce carbon emissions.
The government wants it done before the end of this decade. It also desires a national, legally binding plan to be published within the next four months.
Thomas stated that he was afraid of going to prison. But, what I fear most is the complacency of this government and its lies about climate. They’re pushing the envelope. “We are out of roads.”
Insulate Britain published photographs showing some 32 activist faces who are facing up to 2 years prison sentences for contempt. These are Rowan Tilly and Dr Diana Warner (left to right), Ruth Jarman, Jess Causby and Steve Gower. Rowan Tilly, Rowan Tilly, Jess Causby and Steve Gower. Reverend Sue Parfitt is in the second row.
Insulate Britain protesters blocked a truck transporting insulation from Parliament Square, Westminster on November 4.
The Cop26 Climate Conference was condemned by the group in a statement yesterday. It also compared the Cop26 conference to Martin Luther King Jr.
One spokesperson said that the government did not plan to act in the best interest of its citizens after the failures at COP26. It failed in its most fundamental duties of protecting people.
“When governments threaten their citizens, it is morally and just to point out the injustice by breaking the laws. This is exactly what Martin Luther King and the suffragettes did. We are asking everyone to follow this example.
“Don’t just be an observer, join us to change history. How can you find a more worthwhile thing to do in this moment when your loved ones are at grave risk?