London Climate Activists Sentenced as Free Speech Debate Grows
In London earlier this year, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the high court in solidarity with members of the “Just Stop Oil” advocacy group. Defendants were collectively given over forty-one years' worth of sentences for a series of nonviolent protests in support of stopping large oil companies. The sixteen environmental activists appeared in court to attempt to change their unduly harsh sentences. Their appearance in court attracted many supporters and celebrities who gathered in solidarity.
Protesters and supporters have made a similar argument regarding the sixteen activists: nonviolent protests should never receive harsh punishments, let alone multiple years in jail. This was viewed as an attack on free speech and could prevent future climate activists from join...