Jurors have a right to acquit a defendant according to their conscience, irrespective of a Judge’s directions. Every defendant deserves access to fair justice.
Nov 10 • 8 tweets • 3 min read
It’s #WorldScienceDay Today!🧵
It couldn’t be more timely, as science is being banned from UK courtrooms.
Peaceful activists in the UK have been imprisoned for referring to the science of Climate Change as part of their defence in UK courts:
theguardian.com/environment/20…
Currently, there are dozens of peaceful prisoners in the UK whose alleged crime intended to highlight the existential threat of Climate Change.
Many of them were given no defence in law, meaning jurors were asked to ignore their reason for taking action:
A letter from the #WholeTruthFive to everyone who has been outraged by their sentencing.
This letter has been collaboratively penned and approved by the five from their cells as they carry out record sentences for their involvement in peaceful protest in the UK.
Part 1 of 3.
Part 2 of the letter from the #WholeTruthFive to everyone who has been outraged by their sentencing. #FreePoliticalPrisoners
Today, campaigners hand-delivered a petition to Attorney General Richard Hermer KC, at the Ministry of Justice.
Signed by over 60K people, the petition calls for an end to the imprisonment of peaceful protesters, including the #WholeTruthFive
1/4
With the petition is a letter from Defend Our Juries renewing the call for a public meeting to discuss the Government’s violations of international law.
Should that demand not be met, We promise an escalation of action, beginning Sept 27.
TODAY - Groups of signholders are at courts across England & Wales in support of the 26 political prisoners currently locked up in British jails for demanding climate action.
The callout is for the Attorney General to meet with @ChrisGPackham & others to discuss the issue. 1/6
This action is in response to longest sentences passed on peaceful protestors in living memory, and 26 nonviolent people of conscience locked up in UK prisons.
Some imprisoned for as much as 5years for involvement in peaceful activism.
A person smashes a car window, causing the car alarm to go off and creating a public scene. The police quickly arrive and arrest the person.
During the arrest, the person tries to explain their motive for breaking the window. 🧵 1/9
The police officer handcuffs the now arrestee and tells them that they were spotted by multiple witnesses breaking the window and they will have to take their explanation to the investigating officer during interview.
In the meantime, they’ll be taken to a holding cell. 2/9
Apr 22 • 5 tweets • 3 min read
BREAKING: The High Court has this morning dismissed the application of Robert Courts MP, the Solicitor General, to imprison Trudi Warner, a 69 year-old retired social worker, for holding a sign outside Inner London Crown Court in 2023.
Full press release: shorturl.at/ortKY
To all those who risked the same ordeal Trudi has gone through over the past year, well done. You are really helping to #DefendOurJuries
The attack on jury trials is not over. There are still some courts refusing defendants their right to tell the WHOLE truth.