Just stop oil announcement, unedited:
June 9, 2024–I have great news! In a unanimous verdict delivered by a jury at Guildford Crown Court, Just Stop Oil supporters Nathan McGovern, Rosa Sharkey, and Louis Hawkins were found not guilty of causing criminal damage.
On 28 April 2022, Just Stop Oil supporters blocked the entrances to Clacket Lane Services on the M25 by sitting in the road with Just Stop Oil banners. They also decommissioned the petrol pumps by breaking the display glass and covering it with spray paint.
The judge ruled out their legal defences, but a 12 person jury still found them not guilty.
Nathan McGovern, 24, one of the three acquitted today, spoke about the outcome.
“Despite Attorney General rulings, despite losing every legal defence, despite the Conservative Party demonising those taking action to protect our communities from the crimes of oil companies – 12 ordinary members of the public have returned a resounding not guilty verdict.
This is a clear sign that the British public sides with those taking action to prevent catastrophic climate breakdown, not BP or the Tory party.
From a jury in the heart of England, this could not make it clearer where the public lies on the need to end fossil fuels and protect all life”Until leaders act to protect us, Just Stop Oil supporters will continue to take the proportional action necessary to generate political pressure.
(tweaked garble in headline)