A DORSET woman is among Just Stop Oil (JSO) protestors who have been remanded in prison after protesting at Heathrow Airport.
Sally Davidson, who lives on Portland, was among a group of seven JSO activists arrested on Tuesday (July 23) after taking part in the global Oil Kills protest.
Three other JSO campaigners were also arrested on Tuesday at other locations in connection with the protest, which demanded the UK Government commit to a treaty ending the extraction and burning of fossil fuels by 2030.
On Thursday (July 25), the group of 10 – including 36-year-old Sally – appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, charged with conspiracy to interfere with key national infrastructure under Section 7 of the Public Order Act 2003.
Eight were remanded in custody, while two – Julia Mercer, 74, and 27-year-old William Goldring – were released on bail.
Before Tuesday’s protest, Sally recorded a video which has since been released by JSO.
In it, she said she was campaigning as she is “petrified” about the “breakdown of law and order” climate collapse would bring.
“It’s 2024. We need our government to take rapid and urgent action, meaningful action, to avert climate collapse,” she added.
“This isn’t something that’s happening in the future. It’s happening right now. And myself and my young family will be affected by it. And so will yours. And anything less than our government committing to end oil and gas by 2030 is a death sentence for this country, is a death sentence for the NHS and the economy, for everything that we enjoy in the UK.”
Just Stop Oil said protestors were arrested on the perimeter of Heathrow Airport. Picture: JSO
This week, 13 groups across 10 countries have taken part in the Oil Kills protest – including in Germany, Norway, Finland, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Canada and the USA.
Around 37 people have been arrested, all of whom have now been released, apart from the eight in the UK, according to JSO.
The protests came as it was announced on Wednesday that the record for the world’s hottest day had been broken twice in one week.
On Monday, the global average surface air temperature reached 17.15C, breaking the record of 17.09C set the previous day.
After the arrests, a Heathrow Airport spokesperson said no flights had been disrupted.
“We are in full agreement that the aviation industry needs to decarbonise, but unlawful and irresponsible protest activity will not be tolerated,” they added.
The High Court, earlier this month, granted an injunction prohibiting anyone from entering, occupying or remaining on London Heathrow Airport land in connection with environmental campaigns, without consent. Anyone in breach could face jail, a fine, or have their assets seized for contempt of court.
It came after five members of JSO who brought the M25 to a standstill in 2022 were jailed.
Roger Hallam, 58, Daniel Shaw, 38, Louise Lancaster, 58, Lucia Whittaker De Abreu, 35, and Cressida Gethin, 22, were all handed prison sentences over the protests at Southwark Crown Court.
Hallam was sentenced to five years behind bars, while the others each received four-year sentences.
