Our Grandchildren’s Climate 08.03.25
On 18th July 2024 sixteen UK climate activists were given prison sentences (up to five years) for taking part in, or preparing to take part in, climate protests in the UK. This marked a tightening-up of judgments against public protest, following new laws on the right to peaceful protest. On 26th August 2024 European Grandparents for Climate issued its own statement of protest.
On 29th and 30th January this year, Our Grandchildren’s Climate joined a number of other groups outside the Appeal Court in London in a mass demonstration against these sentences. On 7th March 2025 The Appeal Court Judge recognized that eight of these were excessive, and reduced them by a little, recognizing that the actions of the activists were driven by their conscience. However, none of the defendants was released.
This move may mark a slightly improved acceptance that climate activism is a legitimate activity, but the UK remains the European country that judges climate activism the most harshly. In the context of several of the largest oil companies using the law successfully to fight back against climate activist groups, we are deeply concerned, and will support the struggle for the freedom to carry out non-violent protest in the interest of future generations.