UK Judge Rules in Favor of Climate Activist Who Encouraged Jurors to Follow Conscience
A UK judge ruled that a climate activist, Trudi Warner, should not be prosecuted for holding a sign outside a London court that urged jurors to acquit defendants based on their conscience.
Warner, a retired social worker, displayed the sign during a trial of environmental activists from the group Insulate Britain last year.
The sign was in response to several activists being prevented from mentioning climate change as part of their defense.
The Solicitor General of Britain accused activist Nick Warner of attempting to influence jurors and interfere with the administration of justice through his protests outside a courtroom.
The Solicitor General argued that this was contempt of court, which could result in up to two years in prison and an unlimited fine.
However, Judge Pushpinder Saini dismissed the case on Monday, stating that a criminal prosecution was an excessive response and an infringement on Warner's right to freedom of expression.
Warner stated after the ruling that he only wanted to inform jurors of their rights and challenge judges he believed were acting unlawfully.
Warner, who was asked about repeating her actions, replied with "Probably." The text mentions a wider crackdown on protest movements in Britain and Europe, specifically against environmental activists using direct action protests to push for government action on climate change.
The sign was in response to several activists being prevented from mentioning climate change as part of their defense.
The Solicitor General of Britain accused activist Nick Warner of attempting to influence jurors and interfere with the administration of justice through his protests outside a courtroom.
The Solicitor General argued that this was contempt of court, which could result in up to two years in prison and an unlimited fine.
However, Judge Pushpinder Saini dismissed the case on Monday, stating that a criminal prosecution was an excessive response and an infringement on Warner's right to freedom of expression.
Warner stated after the ruling that he only wanted to inform jurors of their rights and challenge judges he believed were acting unlawfully.
Warner, who was asked about repeating her actions, replied with "Probably." The text mentions a wider crackdown on protest movements in Britain and Europe, specifically against environmental activists using direct action protests to push for government action on climate change.
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Translated by AI
