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Cleared: Jury decides that threat of global warming justifies breaking the law
By Michael McCarthy, Environment Editor
Thursday, 11 September 2008
The threat of global warming is so great that campaigners were justified in causing more than £35,000 worth of damage to a coal-fired power station, a jury decided yesterday. In a verdict that will have shocked ministers and energy companies the jury at Maidstone Crown Court cleared six Greenpeace activists of criminal damage.
Jurors accepted defence arguments that the six had a "lawful excuse" to damage property at Kingsnorth power station in Kent to prevent even greater damage caused by climate change. The defence of "lawful excuse" under the Criminal Damage Act 1971 allows damage to be caused to property to prevent even greater damage – such as breaking down the door of a burning house to tackle a fire.
The not-guilty verdict, delivered after two days and greeted with cheers in the courtroom, raises the stakes for the most pressing issue on Britain's green agenda and could encourage further direct action.
Speaking outside court after being cleared yesterday, Mr Stewart said: "This is a huge blow for ministers and their plans for new coal-fired power stations. It wasn't only us in the dock, it was the coal-fired generation as well. After this verdict, the only people left in Britain who think new coal is a good idea are John Hutton and Malcolm Wicks. It's time the Prime Minister stepped in, showed some leadership and embraced the clean energy future for Britain."
He added: "This verdict marks a tipping point for the climate change movement. When a jury of normal people say it is legitimate for a direct action group to shut down a coal-fired power station because of the harm it does to our planet, then where does that leave Government energy policy? We have the clean technologies at hand to power our economy. It's time we turned to them instead of coal."
Ms Hall said: "The jury heard from the most distinguished climate scientist in the world. How could they ignore his warnings and reject his leading scientific arguments?"
Rogerdodger would ask: Is it legal to vandalize the automobiles of the judge and jury because they also cause environmental damage?
Can we legally kill cows because they fart?
Were the lights on during the trial?
Where does this stop?
Last week "The Eagles" performed here in Tulsa commemorating the opening of the brand new BOK center.
They insisted that the air-conditioning to the packed auditorium be turned off for their performance!
But they left their guitars plugged in as well as the spotlights. hmmm....
I wondered if they walked to the next concert?
I wonder if they only use one sheet of toilet paper?
Is one sheet too many?
Edited by Rogerdodger, 12 September 2008 - 04:57 PM.
