British jury clears Extinction Rebellion activist blocking rush hour trains

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The jury cleared three Extinction Rebellion activists in 2019 that caused a 77-minute mess on a rush hour train in central London.

Just before 7am on October 17, 2019, Philip Kingston, 85, super-glued his hand to the Docklands Light Rail (DLR) train at Shadwell Station, Superfit (79) and Martin Newwell (54). Years old) climbed the roof. And he said a prayer for the planet.

The trio was acquitted by a jury at the Inner London Crown Court on January 14, despite 15 trains being delayed or canceled.

Three activists who are members of the Christian Climate Action group within Extinction Rebellion said they were strongly motivated by their Christian beliefs.

However, Conservative Rep. Brendan Clarke Smith said they did not consider their actions “especially what Christians should do.”

“The selfish behavior and ego of these individuals prevent people from working to support their families, prevent children from going to school, wasting time on our paramedics and killing people. I was in danger, “he said.

Clark Smith criticizes the jury trial’s decision as “giving a green light to those who are trying to commit all sorts of horrifying crimes in the name of religion to justify their extreme political ideology.” did.

He said he “always defends the jury trial system,” but “clearly needs a review.”

Another Conservative lawmaker, Tom Hunt, also called the verdict a “dangerous precedent.”

Speaking outside the court, Parfitt said the court felt that they had “proved” their actions and that the verdict showed that the protest was “right.”

Hodge Jones, a law firm on behalf of the defendant, and Mike Schwartz, a lawyer for Allen, said: We take it much more seriously than governments and businesses. This verdict is part of this escalating pattern. “

The sentence will be a little over a week after the jury has removed four criminal injuries in the fall of the statue of Edward Colston, a 17th-century British merchant involved in the slave trade.

Following a January 5 jury trial, a spokesman for Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the vandalism remained a “crime” and the government expected police to take it seriously.

Conservative lawmaker Tom Hunt commented on both cases, saying: Daily mail: “Unfortunately, I thought the unfortunate verdict of the Colston statue could be the green light of other criminal acts. That’s what we’re starting to see.”

“It’s clear to me that anyone who commits vandalism, damages public property, or obstructs public access such as roads and railroads should be punished. Another thing that didn’t apply to me. I’m disappointed to see the case and I’m worried about the precedent that continues. “

PA Media contributed to this report.

Alexander Chan

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