Climate Protesters Face Potential Life Sentences

Rising Tide | 28.04.2010 14:37 | Climate Chaos | Energy Crisis | Social Struggles

18 people from Bristol and Bath, have been charged under the Malicious
Damages Act of 1861 after they blockaded the railtrack which carries coal between the controversial Open cast Mine at Fros y Fran, near Merthyr Tydfil and Aberthaw Power Station on Monday, 26th April.

The 18 people, who are part of the Rising Tide (UK) Network were held for over 24 hours, and were only allowed to phone out after 11.00 am yesterday (Tuesday). The house of one of those involved was raided by 8 police officers who spent 3 hours searching their home.

It took the combined efforts of British Rail Police and South Wales Police over 8 hours to remove the last of the protesters at 8.10pm on Monday evening. The law under which they were charged was designed to protect the interests of rail owners has a maximum penalty of life.

However, a spokesperson for the 18 said:
“We would not anticipate facing any such penalty as we took great care to ensure the safety of all taking part and had made certain that the coal train would not leave the loading area before the line was blocked.”

“This was a carefully planned action: hence it's success. However, we admit that it was a drastic course of action but even this barely matches the climate crisis we will face if much more radical measures are not taken now.”

*All 18 have been bailed to appear at Merthyr Tydfill Magistrates Court on 10th May at 10.00 am.*

Rising Tide
e-mail: info@risingtide.org.uk
Homepage: http://www.risingtide.org.uk

Additions

image

30.04.2010 12:57

All the cameras got confiscated, so here's an artist's impression of the action.

scribbler

another image

30.04.2010 19:33

...and this is the other lock-on that happened further along the line on the same day, as soon as the first one was cleared :-)

scribbler

Comments

Hide the following 2 comments

NOT a useful title

29.04.2010 15:07

That kind of scaremongering is going to deter people coming into direct action for the first time. Those arrested will not get life sentences - more likely a fine each.

anon

To anon

30.04.2010 10:43

Yes that kind of title will put people off activism. But on the other hand these people are quite possibly really scared by the tough times ahead. While we can sit back and say they'll probably get fines, and I'm sure they know they won't get life sentences, there is still a possibility of time inside and that's a seriously scary prospect when it's suddenly you facing that time. Yes this title doesn't help to get people involved in activism, but it is a seriously strong plea for support and help. I don't think they'd have put it up for shits and giggles.

These people undertook an incredible action and they deserve our unequivocal support. Of course it's a good thing to bear in mind that these kind of titles don't help people getting involved, but I think by far the most important thing right now is that the entire country comes out to shout for these guys.