This is what solidarity looks like

February 08, 2025

Glaswegian and Scottish rebels answered the call to protest outside the Royal Courts of Justice about the unprecedented sentences delivered to 16 climate activists.

Glaswegian and Scottish rebels answered the call to protest outside the Royal Courts of Justice on Thursday 30th January, to amplify the mass-appeal of the unprecedented and corrupted sentences delivered to 16 climate activists.

Two activists in foreground hold banner saying: Free Political Prisoners. Behind them, protestors sit down in road (the Strand outside Royal Courts of Justice, London). Groups of police stand next to the protest.

The Strand in central London was closed as campaigners sat outside the court building, with some holding pictures of 16 activists currently seeking to challenge their sentences for their involvement in climate protests. Those appealing against their sentences received jail terms of between five years and 15 months for their roles in four demonstrations held by Just Stop Oil (JSO) between August and November 2022.

Following the demonstration outside the Royal Courts of Justice, a spokesperson for JSO said those in prison were “political prisoners” and had been jailed as the group “threatens the profits of the fossil fuel industry”. Lawyers for the 16 told the Court of Appeal on Wednesday that their sentences were “manifestly excessive”, breached their human rights, and should have taken into account their “conscientious motivation”.

Three women wear scold’s bridles outside Royal Courts of Justice. They are dressed in black and smoke rises around them.

No arrests were made. The power of the people in action! Excellent short film by Liz Smith, showing the tension created by the police and everyone’s steadfastness.  

A Lesson In Solidarity – This is how we defend our democracies

This is what solidarity looks like. 

Policeman walks between two rows of protestors sitting down in road (the Strand outside Royal Courts of Justice, London). The activists are ignoring the police man as he talks to them.
Healthcare workers in work uniforms stand outside Royal Courts of Justice. They hold signs saying 'Stop Jailing Truth Tellers' and Doctors - Jailed for sounding the climate and health alarm.