Thank you for signing the open letter last July in support of the Whole Truth Five, jailed for taking proportionate, evidence-based action to stop new oil and gas licences.
We now write to you as the ‘Lord Walney 16’* – the sixteen people imprisoned for a combined 41 years for refusing to be bystanders to the devastation of life on earth. We were all sentenced between July and September last year, after Lord Walney, lobbyist for the arms and oil industry, called for those resisting genocide–whether from carbon emissions or Israeli bombs–to face the harshest response that the government, the police and the judicial system could punish us with.
You so generously signed that open letter, which called out the injustice of these insane sentences in the context of an already broken prison system. Now we’re calling on your generosity again. A critical moment has arisen: our appeals against these sentences will be heard at the Royal Courts of Justice in London on 29th and 30th January. This is a truly historic juncture, not just for the 16 of us, but for our movements and all those who place justice and democracy over corporate profit. The courts are sensitive to public pressure. And you are someone who can make the difference – the more visible support we have from cultural figures, the harder judges will find it to quietly deny us our rights, and thereby erode all of our rights.
Please join the solidarity rally outside court on either day and let us know you’re coming by emailing info@defendourjuries.org. There will be a podium in a safe place for a reading, a speech or a song across the two days – whatever you are moved to contribute – or simply come and show your solidarity.
If you can’t make it in person, please express your support for us on your social media channels by sharing the event link with the hashtag #FreeTheLordWalney16 and get in touch if you want to support remotely in other ways: info@defendourjuries.org
We gave up our freedom to resist the ultimate crimes against humanity and life on earth. Now we’re calling on your help – don’t let a slide into corporate authoritarianism come to pass unnoticed.
With love,
Anna Holland, 23, serving a 20 month sentence in HMP Send
Chris Bennett, 33, serving an 18 month sentence, released on tag
Cressida Gethin, 22, serving a 4 year sentence in HMP Send
Daniel Shaw, 38, serving a 4 year sentence in HMP Wayland
Gaie Delap, 78, serving a 20 month sentence in HMP Eastwood Park
Dr Larch Maxey, 52, serving a 3 year sentence in HMP Fosse Way
Louise Lancaster, 58, serving a 4 year sentence in HMP Send
Lucia Whittaker De Abreu, 35, serving a 4 year sentence in HMP Send
Paul Bell, 24, serving a 22 month sentence, released on tag
Paul Sousek, 73, serving a 20 month sentence, released on tag
Phoebe Plummer, 23, serving a 2 year sentence in HMP Bronzefield
Roger Hallam, 58, serving a 5 year sentence in HMP Wayland
Theresa Higginson, 26, serving a 2 year sentence, released on tag
*Note: three of the 16 have not added their names here due to the risk of being recalled to prison for associating with their fellow activists