The UK has led the way in the crackdown, experts say, with judges recently refusing an appeal against multi-year sentences for climate activists who blocked a motorway bridge in east London. The three-year jail terms for Marcus Decker and Morgan Trowland earlier this year are thought to be the longest handed out by a British judge for non-violent protest.
Michel Forst, the UN rapporteur on environmental defenders since June last year, described the situation in the UK as “terrifying”. He added that other countries were “looking at the UK examples with a view to passing similar laws in their own countries, which will have a devastating effect for Europe”.
He added: “I’m sure that there is European cooperation among the police forces against these kinds of activities. My concern is that when [governments] are calling these people eco-terrorists, or are using new forms of vilifications and defamation … it has a huge impact on how the population may perceive them and the cause for which these people are fighting. It is a huge concern for me.”
Breathe. What a violent comment!
Comparing nonviolent protestors to armed soldiers fighting vulnerable people is wild. With all due respect, I think you lost perspective.
I’m not interested in continuing this conversation, also because I feel you’re projecting violent things into my words.
No. I compared “oil executives” to enemy combatants. I compared oil executives to armed soldiers. Do not put words in my mouth.
Your argument is that “protesters” are justified in deliberately targeting the weak specifically because they are weak. That doesn’t make protesters comparable to armed soldiers. That makes these “protesters” comparable to terrorists or war criminals.
Oh, is it “too hard” to even talk with me? Gotta go find someone “weaker” to harass? God, your argument is infuriating. Rarely do I see someone taking pride in their own cowardice.
Only criminals accept that their targets for hostility are illegitimate, but try to rationalize their hostile behavior anyway. Your argument here is vile and disgusting. I’m trying to remember that it is you making it, and not any of these protesters. I have to assume that you are misrepresenting them.