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Climate protesters are taking action against Big Oil & receiving prison terms akin to rapists

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By illuminem briefings

· 2 min read


illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on CNN or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: In a crackdown on climate protests, UK courts sentenced Just Stop Oil activist Cressida Gethin and four others to four-to-five-year prison terms for organizing disruptive protests
The activists were convicted under new laws that impose harsher penalties on protest actions deemed to cause public nuisance, drawing criticism for equating non-violent climate protests with violent crimes

🔭 The context: These laws were introduced following disruptive climate actions by groups like Extinction Rebellion
The new policing powers target protests causing public disruptions and have raised concerns about civil liberties and the influence of fossil fuel lobbying

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: These protests highlight the tension between urgent climate action and the fossil fuel industry's continued expansion
The legal response may deter future activism, yet the activists argue that such actions are necessary to address the climate crisis

⏭️ What's next: Gethin and her co-defendants are appealing their sentences, while activists and legal experts criticize the disproportionate penalties as a suppression of protest rights

💬 One quote: “A very harsh sentence like this doesn’t make sense morally or legally — but it does make sense politically,” said Gethin from prison

📈 One stat: The protest caused over £760,000 in economic damage and £1 million in policing costs

Click for more news covering the latest on climate change

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