TrendsWide
Contact US
  • Home
  • Trending
  • Health
  • Life Style
  • NBA
  • Reviews
No Result
View All Result
TrendsWide
  • Home
  • Trending
  • Health
  • Life Style
  • NBA
  • Reviews
No Result
View All Result
TrendsWide
No Result
View All Result
Home Trending

Insulate Britain protestor Emma Smart calls for more ‘civil disobedience’ as she is jailed

by souhaib
November 20, 2021
in Trending
0
74
SHARES
1.2k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
ADVERTISEMENT


An Insulate Britain eco-warrior who went on hunger strike in protest at being jailed for taking part in protests that brought Britian’s motorways to a standstill has urged more eco-zealots to step up and continue the group’s extreme campaign.

Emma Smart, 44, – who will be housed in Europe’s largest women’s prison which is home to murderers and child rapists – was handed a four-month sentence for taking part in a protest on the M25 on October 8.

In a video shared by Insulate Britain online, a short recording of Smart, believed to have been taken before she was sent to HMP Bronzefield in Ashford, Surrey, can be seen in which she defends her actions and called for more civil disobedience.

Smart, an ecologist by trade, said: ‘It was quite an extreme campaign, you know, going onto the motorway but we’re in an extreme situation and I felt I had to do what was necessary.

‘I stepped up, we all need to step up. Non-violent civil disobedience is the only way we’re going to enact change.

‘We don’t need nine of us, or 20 of us in prison, we all need to put our liberty on the line because we are facing losing everything.’

Insulate Britain eco mob’s Emma Smart, 44 has urged more eco-zealots to step up and continue the group’s extreme campaign

Emma Smart, from Weymouth, announced via an Insulate Britain spokesman that she would be going on hunger strike

Emma Smart, from Weymouth, announced via an Insulate Britain spokesman that she would be going on hunger strike

In the clip shared to Twitter, Smart explains her actions leading up to taking part in the mob’s motorway protests earlier this year. 

Speaking with a row of fence panels behind her, she said: ‘I don’t know what more I can do and then IB [Insulate Britain] came along and yes, this was a way I could step up. 

‘It was quite an extreme campaign, you know, going onto the motorway but we’re in an extreme situation and I felt I had to do what was necessary.

‘So I feel this is the moment. Our government could have accepted and acted or done something meaningful in relation to our demands.

‘But they chose to imprison us and really that has got to send a strong message to everyone. Now is the time. We need to come together, whatever we’re doing is not enough. 

In a video shared by Insulate Britain online, a short recording of Smart, believed to have been taken before she was sent to HMP Bronzefield in Ashford, Surrey, can be seen in which she defends her actions and called for more civil disobedience

In a video shared by Insulate Britain online, a short recording of Smart, believed to have been taken before she was sent to HMP Bronzefield in Ashford, Surrey, can be seen in which she defends her actions and called for more civil disobedience

Emma Smart told the court that the proceedings were 'obscene' and glowered at barristers representing National Highways. However, the biologist has faced allegations of hypocrisy after undertaking a gas-guzzling 81,000-mile drive across the globe with her husband Andy Smith. Above: The couple are pictured with their diesel-fuelled Toyota before the trip in 2012

Emma Smart told the court that the proceedings were ‘obscene’ and glowered at barristers representing National Highways. However, the biologist has faced allegations of hypocrisy after undertaking a gas-guzzling 81,000-mile drive across the globe with her husband Andy Smith. Above: The couple are pictured with their diesel-fuelled Toyota before the trip in 2012

Emma Smart (left) waves to supporters as she arrives at the High Court in London for sentencing yesterday morning

Emma Smart (left) waves to supporters as she arrives at the High Court in London for sentencing yesterday morning

‘I stepped up, we all need to step up. Non-violent civil disobedience is the only way we’re going to enact change.

‘We don’t need nine of us, or 20 of us in prison, we all need to put our liberty on the line because we are facing losing everything.

‘Our life support systems are collapsing, society is going to collapse. Be part of that change while you have the chance.’ 

Insulate Britain have been contacted for comment. 

Following two months of repeated motorway chaos caused by Insulate Britain, Smart told the High Court that she was there to ‘ensure future survival’ and compared watching the climate crisis to watching a child trapped in a burning house. 

‘She said: ‘I’m asking when you consider my sentence that my actions are proportionate to the crisis we are facing, where 8,500 people die a year from cold and hunger in their own homes. I cannot stand by and watch. 

‘I would run to them. Our Government is betraying us, our vulnerable people and our children’s future. I will not be a bystander while our Government fails and betrays its people, I will continue to do what is necessary.’  

Insulate Britain eco-zealot Emma Smart is seen being led away in handcuffs from the High Court in London yesterday

Insulate Britain eco-zealot Emma Smart is seen being led away in handcuffs from the High Court in London yesterday

This week, Smart was sent to HMP Bronzefield in Ashford, Surrey, which was Britain’s first purpose-built prison for women when it opened in 2004. Up to 572 women inmates can be held at the Category A jail across four houseblocks which can hold about 130 people in each one.  

You might also like

Nancy Crampton Brophy: The author of ‘How to kill your husband’, convicted of… killing her husband | Society

Reporter presses Ted Cruz on why mass shootings only happen in America | Video

Guns have become the number one killer of young Americans

Announcing her intention to go on hunger strike after being jailed, 44-year-old Smart said: ‘Our Government is betraying us, betraying our vulnerable people and betraying our children’s future. 

‘I believe that my intentions are morally right, even if my actions are deemed legally wrong. This court may see me as being on the wrong side of the law, but in my heart I know I am on the right side of history. I will not be a bystander.’ 

She told the court that the proceedings were ‘obscene’ and glowered at barristers representing National Highways. 

But Smart, a biologist, has previously been criticised for undertaking a gas-guzzling 81,000-mile drive across the globe with her partner, Andy Smith.

Mr Smith, 45, who volunteers as a climate activist full time but has not taken part in any demonstrations with Extinction Rebellion offshoot Insulate Britain, said he is ‘terrified’ for her. Mr Smith said he was aware that Smart would be going on a hunger strike if she was put behind bars, adding: ‘It’s something we discuss quite frequently’. 

He added: ‘She is incredibly resolute in her actions. I stand by her in all the decisions she makes. Morally they are in the right in this instance and she really stands by her convictions. 

Stone (top row, middle) poses with eight other Insulate Britain eco-zealots outside the High Court after they were jailed for the group's motorway stunts that caused chaos for Brits

Stone (top row, middle) poses with eight other Insulate Britain eco-zealots outside the High Court after they were jailed for the group’s motorway stunts that caused chaos for Brits

‘She’s an incredibly passionate person who has spent her whole entire adult life trying to save wildlife and protect the environment. 

‘That’s deeply ingrained in who she is. That freedom to go out on to the street and protest has been taken away from her, so her going on a hunger strike in prison is another way to continue that process.’

He added that the sentences were less than the supporters of the group were expecting so they were ‘relieved’, but still felt it was a ‘complete injustice’. 

He said: ‘I completely stand with them on what they’ve done and how they’ve acted. I would obviously rather the judge side with them but they did break the law and then they were willing to face the consequences of breaking the law.’ 



Source link

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • More
  • Pinterest
  • Telegram
  • Email
Tags: dailymail
Share30Tweet19
Previous Post

RAF pilot on how he destroyed ISIS troops as he confesses to desensitising nature of war

Next Post

Biden forgives two turkeys, following the pre-Thanksgiving tradition | Video

souhaib

Recommended For You

Nancy Crampton Brophy: The author of ‘How to kill your husband’, convicted of… killing her husband | Society

by souhaib
May 27, 2022
0

It sounds like a supermarket noir story: writer Nancy Crampton Brophy, 71, has been convicted after a seven-week trial in Portland, Oregon, for the murder of her husband...

Read more

Reporter presses Ted Cruz on why mass shootings only happen in America | Video

by souhaib
May 27, 2022
0

Posted at 21:03 ET (01:03 GMT) Thursday, May 26, 2022 playing 1:27 Posted at 19:44 ET (23:44 GMT) Thursday, May 26, 2022 Posted at 16:05 ET (20:05 GMT)...

Read more

Guns have become the number one killer of young Americans

by souhaib
May 27, 2022
0

Anti-gun protesters march in New York on May 26, 2022. SPENCER PLATT / AFP Guns have become the leading cause of death among young Americans, surpassing traffic accidents,...

Read more

Tunisia..The Peasants’ Union joins the opponents of the President’s dialogue and Ennahda condemns the targeting of the revolution and its gains | Politics news

by souhaib
May 26, 2022
0

The Tunisian Union of Agriculture and Fishing joined the list of opponents of the national dialogue proposed by President Kais Saied, and the Ennahda movement renewed its condemnation...

Read more

the attacker spent more than an hour at the Uvalde school

by souhaib
May 26, 2022
0

The attacker who massacred 19 children and two teachers at a Texas elementary school he was inside for more than an hour before he was killed in a...

Read more
Next Post

Biden forgives two turkeys, following the pre-Thanksgiving tradition | Video

No Result
View All Result

Recent Posts

  • The offer of a famous actor that Michael Jordan rejected without blinking
  • Nancy Crampton Brophy: The author of ‘How to kill your husband’, convicted of… killing her husband | Society
  • Reporter presses Ted Cruz on why mass shootings only happen in America | Video
  • Guns have become the number one killer of young Americans
  • The Sao Paulo stock market follows the international trail and advances 1.18% By EFE

Browse by Category

  • Australia
  • Automotive
  • Business
  • Celebrity
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Deals
  • Economie
  • Education
  • Euro
  • Forex
  • Gaming
  • Health
  • Life Style
  • NBA
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Sports
  • Switzerland
  • Trending
  • U.S.
  • Uncategorized

Categories

  • Australia
  • Automotive
  • Business
  • Celebrity
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Deals
  • Economie
  • Education
  • Euro
  • Forex
  • Gaming
  • Health
  • Life Style
  • NBA
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Sports
  • Switzerland
  • Trending
  • U.S.
  • Uncategorized

Pages

  • Contact US
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

© 2021 - TrendsWide

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Contact US
  • Privacy Policy
  • Trending
  • U.S.
  • Economie
  • Deals
  • Reviews
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Health
  • Life Style
  • NBA

© 2021 - TrendsWide

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.