Yesterday, dozens of CCA members sat outside courts across the country in a multi-group action
co-ordinated by the Defend our Juries campaign. Locations where CCA were present included Aylesbury, Bristol, Bournemouth, Canterbury, Croydon, Derby, Exeter, Lewes, Lincoln, Kingston, Preston, Manchester, Newcastle and Taunton.

Each protestor held a sign referencing words carved above the doors of the Old Bailey, which enshrine the rights of juries to reach a verdict according to their conscience.

This event is just one in a series of actions, which have sought to highlight how juries trying climate activists have been prevented from fully understanding the case because defendants have been forbidden from explaining the motivation for their civil disobedience. Using words such as “climate emergency”, “fuel poverty” and “insulation” has resulted in activists being convicted of contempt of court and imprisoned.

Trudi Warner (aged 68), the first person to hold a sign up outside court protesting against this, was arrested and now faces trial. Dozens of others who followed suit in defence of her stand have been referred to the Attorney General and were summoned for interview by the police. Nevertheless, with over 400 people taking part of this latest action, the defence of freedom of speech, the power of the jury and justice in our courts, goes on.