Insulate Britain: 32 activists could face two years in prison for injunction breachs

Insulate Britain activists have been summoned to appear at the High Court, for breaching the National Highways injunction by protesting on the M25.

They face charges of contempt of court, and if found guilty could be subject to unlimited fines, seizure of assets and prison sentences of up to two years.

Over the last seven weeks, the environmental activist group has taken part in 17 demonstrations of civil unrest, blocking traffic on major roads and motorways.

There are currently four court injunctions in place which prohibits the group from blocking traffic on any road network in England.

Insulate Britain says 161 people have taken part in their campaign, with a total of 770 arrests – meaning the average activist has been arrested nearly five times.

Nine members will appear at the High Court on November 16, while a further 23 supporters, who have also openly defied one or more of the four recent injunctions, are expected to be summoned to court in the coming days.

On Tuesday, protesters blocked major roads including junction 23 of the M25 in London,  junction 6 of the M56 in Manchester and the A4400 in Birmingham.

The group are demanding that the government insulate all of Britain’s homes by 2030 to cut carbon emissions.

Theresa Norton, 62, a local councillor from Scarborough, who disrupted traffic on the M56 motorway yesterday said: “I don’t do this lightly.

“But, like the nine who face court and a potential prison sentence, I have to stand up to government bullying; to overcome the fear they instil through threats and  intimidating legal bureaucracy.

“They would rather silence us, than protect the public from climate collapse.

“If we are ever to achieve our climate commitments we need to start insulating homes now.

“I will continue being a part of this campaign and risk being imprisoned or losing my home until our government accepts that it must get on with the job.”

Paul, 46, from Warrington, who also took part in yesterday’s M56 disruption, said:“I am knowingly breaking a high court injunction by sitting in a road, as the courts in this country are no longer about justice, but are about preserving injustice.

“Our government will lock us up and leave thousands of people dying of cold this winter.

“By failing to take the first basic step to reduce our carbon emissions the government is locking in the death of millions from starvation and conflict caused by climate collapse.

“Nonviolent civil resistance is the best chance we have of achieving the changes we need to ensure the survival of our children.”

Amy, 36 from Kingston, London, who took part in yesterday’s M56 motorway disruption said: “I am knowingly breaking the injunction because it is my duty to prevent the horror of both local and global consequences of not reducing our emissions.

“I beg you to examine the situation closely and support nonviolent civil resistance, in whatever way you can.

“We have great power when we work together.”