Up to 32 Insulate Britain activists could face two-years behind prison for breaching court injunctions by blocking motorways across the country.
The group said a further nine of their protesters have been surmounted to appear at the High Court in London on November 16.
They face a charge of contempt of court and if found guilty, could be subject to unlimited fines and up to two years in prison.
It comes after 23 Insulate Britain supporters previously broke court injunctions and are expected in court in the coming days.
Protesters from Insulate Britain blocking a road near to the Holiday Inn Express Motorway Airport in Manchester. Picture date: Tuesday November 2, 2021.
Peter Byrne
Insulate Britain protesters targeted busy roads in Manchester, Birmingham and near London yesterday, as they stepped up efforts to cause travel disruption outside of the south-east of England.
Theresa Norton, 62, a local councillor from Scarborough, who disrupted traffic on the M56 motorway yesterday said: “I don't do this lightly. But, like the nine who face court and a potential prison sentence, I have to stand up to government bullying; to overcome the fear they instil through threats and intimidating legal bureaucracy. They would rather silence us than protect the public from climate collapse.
Police officers detain a protester at an Insulate Britain roadblock near to the the South Mimms roundabout at the junction of the M25 and A1. Picture date: Tuesday November 2, 2021.
Ian West
“If we are ever to achieve our climate commitments we need to start insulating homes now. I will continue being a part of this campaign and risk being imprisoned or losing my home until our government accepts that it must get on with the job.”
Paul, 46, from Warrington who also took part in yesterday’s M56 disruption said: “I am knowingly breaking a high court injunction by sitting in a road, as the courts in this country are no longer about justice, but are about preserving injustice. Our government will lock us up and leave thousands of people dying of cold this winter.”
"By failing to take the first basic step to reduce our carbon emissions the government is locking in the death of millions from starvation and conflict caused by climate collapse.”
“I ask everyone to examine their conscience and consider whether they want to be complicit in genocide. If the answer is no, then join us on the motorway. Nonviolent civil resistance is the best chance we have of achieving the changes we need to ensure the survival of our children.”
Amy, 36 from Kingston who took part in yesterday’s M56 motorway disruption said: “I am knowingly breaking the injunction because it is my duty to prevent the horror of both local and global consequences of not reducing our emissions.
"I beg you to examine the situation closely and support nonviolent civil resistance, in whatever way you can. We have great power when we work together.”
In a statement, Greater Manchester Police said: A total of 11 people have been released on bail after protesters sat on Wilmslow Road (A538) close to the M56 and Manchester Airport on Tuesday.
"The majority of those gathered had glued themselves to the road before being later removed by specialist officers and detained on suspicion of causing danger to road-users (section 22a of Road Traffic Act).
"Disruption was kept to a minimum as officers ensured routes to the nearby motorway and airport weren’t blocked, and all roads in the area have now returned to normal. "We thank the public for their co-operation despite their understandable frustration."
In a tweet yesterday, West Midlands Police confirmed protesters had “now dispersed peacefully” and no arrests have been made.
