Roger Hallam, co-founder of Just Stop Oil, has been sentenced to five years in prison, marking the longest sentence for nonviolent action in the UK. Hallam was convicted of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance for advising on the M25 motorway protests to highlight the climate crisis.
Hallam tweeted after the verdict:
“I’ve just been sentenced to 5 years in prison, the longest ever for nonviolent action. My ‘crime’? Giving a talk on civil disobedience to stop elites from causing climate destruction. I’ve given many similar talks without arrest. This time, I advised on the M25 protests to wake up the public about societal collapse.
I wasn’t involved in the planning or action. I swore to tell the truth in court, presenting scientific evidence of climate threats, but the judge dismissed it as invalid. When I tried to explain the dire conditions humanity faces, the judge silenced me and even threatened arrest.
I argued for ‘equality of arms’ in the trial, citing past cases where juries acquitted defendants based on the facts. The prosecution admitted emissions pose an existential threat but still sought to convict us for public nuisance. British law allows a ‘reasonable excuse’ for such actions, and science shows an overwhelming threat to life.
The judge repeatedly interrupted me, calling my arguments a waste of time. I compared our actions to necessary interventions, like disarming a bomber. The judge dismissed these points and treated my defense as amateurish.
Even with international observers highlighting the injustice, the judge focused on trivial matters, like my Twitter feed, rather than the critical issues. He limited my defense time and belittled my evidence of global climate threats.
Throughout the trial, I was repeatedly arrested and removed for insisting on presenting the full truth. The prosecution accused me of fraud for seeking donations, despite the real costs of legal defense. The judge’s remarks and conduct showed clear bias, dismissing my evidence and the severity of the climate crisis.
The jury, influenced by the judge, found us all guilty. This trial was not about justice but silencing dissent. I reminded the jury they could acquit based on conscience, but they delivered guilty verdicts.
Our actions were aimed at preventing mass death from carbon emissions, yet we were convicted for trying to tell the truth. The judge accused me of lying to exploit supporters, but I stood firm in my beliefs and the scientific facts.
This case highlights the growing repression of peaceful protest and the urgent need for true democracy to address climate change. We must resist the repression and fight for a sustainable future.
Today, I am imprisoned for telling the truth.”
