Chris Packham sparks FURY as he says Just Stop Oil jail term is 'harassment and intimidation'
Chris Packham said five activists were given "disproportionately high sentences" for bringing the M25 to a standstill
PA/ Getty
Chris Packham has caused backlash on social media after saying the jail terms for Just Stop Oil protestors are "harassment and intimidation."
Last week, five environmental activists who organised protests which saw parts of the M25 brought to a standstill were jailed.
The protest resulted in chaos on the M25 for four consecutive days leading to people missing flights, medical appointments, exams and causing nearly 51,000 hours of driver delays, the court heard.
Activists Daniel Shaw, 38, Louise Lancaster, 58, Lucia Whittaker De Abreu, 35, and Cressida Gethin, 22, were sentenced to four years at Southwark Crown Court while Roger Hallam, 58, received a five-year jail term.
Surrey Police officers work to remove a Just Stop Oil activist from an overhead gantry above the M25 motorway
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Packham said: "These five people have been given disproportionately high sentences - the highest that we've ever seen for a peaceful protest.
"I think it amounts to harassment and intimidation of climate protestors. They're trying to keep us off the streets."
The sentences are the longest seen since the introduction by the last government of a new law of conspiracy to cause public nuisance.
Speaking on LBC, Packham described this law as "ambiguous in its context" providing "difficulties for both the protestors knowing how far they can go and for the police knowing when they should properly arrest them."
'These laws are there to punish anyone who wants to protest about anything.'
— LBC (@LBC) July 21, 2024
Environmental campaigner Chris Packham gives @CarolVorders his assessment of the ‘disproportionately high’ sentencing of five Just Stop Oil activists. pic.twitter.com/Js1AaofUUK
Social media users took to X to respond to Packham's comments, with many arguing that they "got exactly what they deserved."
One user said: "These protestors were not peaceful, they showed no mercy when people were late for vital appointments, and people dying in the back of ambulances."
"These are comments from someone who doesn't understand the law, doesn't care about others, who simply wants to make mischief or a combination of of the above. Everyone can protest, what they can't do is harm others when doing so. The two things are different," another said.
X user Rich argued: "Protesting isn't super glueing yourself to tarmac, throwing paint at art, monuments and buildings or climbing the gantries of the M25 stretching our emergency services and putting lives at risk. When you do that or conspire to do that you've crossed the line over to vandalism, disruption and violence without due care and attention to yourself and others."
Just Stop Oil co-founder Roger Hallam received a five-year jail sentence
PA
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"I think I speak for everyone when I say nobody has a problem with anyone that feels strongly about a cause, that their wish to protest, peacefully...But being a public nuisance, blocking emergency vehicles and pretty much provoking/disrupting everyone's daily life was too much," another person responded.
Other users on X noted that the prison sentences may be "too harsh" but the actions of the protestors alienated the public, leaving less people to speak up for them.
Adam Creevy explained: "The sentences may be too harsh, but this is what happens when you alienate the vast majority of people to your cause. No one cares to speak up for you, and instead will actually applaud the government for being strict. Hard not to be called a zealot when you act like one."
"If they feel that strongly about inconveniencing the public then carry on - but be prepared for the inconvenience of a prison sentence. That way, everyone shares the pain," Matt said.
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