3 November 2021, 9:30AM –
A group of nine Insulate Britain’s supporters have been summoned to appear at the High Court in London on 16th November, for breaching the National Highways injunction by causing disruption to traffic on the M25. They face a charge of contempt of court and if found guilty could be subject to unlimited fines, seizure of assets and prison sentences of up to two years. A further 23 Insulate Britain supporters, who have also openly defied one or more of the four recent injunctions, are expected to be summoned to court in the coming days. This brings the total to at least 32 ordinary people who are due to face contempt of court proceedings. [1]
The civil proceedings are presided over by a judge, with no jury present and Insulate Britain supporters have the right to legal representation. If they choose to admit contempt and apologise to the court, this will likely reduce the seriousness of any punishment. If they choose to contest the application, the hearing is scheduled to last one and half days and the case against all of the first nine supporters will be heard at once.
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 instill through threats and intimidating legal bureaucracy. They would rather silence us, than protect the public from climate collapse.
“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.”
ENDS
Press contact: 07737 457105
Email: insulatebritainpress@protonmail.com
High quality photos and video footage available here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Kucq-NfhnZLGJWwLx1HX03cWR7M9Y2-m
Website: https://www.insulatebritain.com/
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Notes to Editors
[1] Photo caption:
Left to right starting at top left
Ruth Jarman, Dr Diana Warner, Rowan Tilly, Jess Causby, Steve Gower, Liam Norton, Greg Frey, Reverend Sue Parfitt, Mark Latimer, Dr Ben Buse, Gabby Ditton, Arne Springorum, Tony Hill, Theresa Norton, Stephanie, Emma Smart, Emily Brockelbank, Biff Whipster, Amy Pritchard, Paul Sheeky, Louis McKechnie, Roman Paulch, Ben Taylor, Ana Heyatawin, David, Oliver Roc, Tracey Mallaghan, Tim Speers.
About Insulate Britain
Insulate Britain is a new campaign group that is calling on the UK government to put in place policy and funding for a national home insulation programme starting with all social housing.
We demand the Prime Minister and the government to #getonwiththejob, face up to their responsibility and lead our country through the climate crisis.
We are ordinary British citizens with simple and achievable demands to #INSULATEBRITAIN
The UK government must immediately promise to fully fund and take responsibility for the insulation of all social housing in Britain.
We demand a national home insulation strategy that gives British people the justice they deserve: a future for our loved ones, lower energy bills and safer living conditions.
We are scared: our livelihoods are at risk and the futures of our children are uncertain
The Climate Crisis is a threat to all: we demand the government to act now.
Our Demands
1. That the UK government immediately promises to fully fund and take responsibility for the insulation of all social housing in Britain by 2025;
2. That the UK government immediately promises to produce within four months a legally binding national plan to fully fund and take responsibility for the full low-energy and low-carbon whole-house retrofit , with no externalised costs, of all homes in Britain by 2030 as part of a just transition to full decarbonisation of all parts of society and the economy.
Further information about Insulate Britain and our demands here: https://www.insulatebritain.com/
Technical Report on home energy efficiency here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jt5FI-kinEXoqZtPDrCvnAVQ2EFn8Aea/view
Insulate Britain ‘Blue Lights’ policy: our policy is, and has always been to move out of the way for emergency vehicles with ‘blue lights’ on.