Jury trial begins for Christian climate train protesters

Fr Martin and Rev Sue during Shadwell vigil

Source: Christian Climate Action

A 79-year old Anglican priest, a Catholic priest and an 85-year old Catholic all went on trial today at Inner London Crown Court after they stopped a DLR train at Shadwell station in London in 2019. Rev Sue Parfitt, 79, Fr Martin Newell, 54 and Phil Kingston, 85, all members of Christian Climate Action, took the action to highlight the climate emergency. They are charged with obstructing trains or carriages on the railway under the malicious damages act.

None of the defendants will deny their part in the action, but, like the Colston Four, they will argue a conviction would be a disproportionate interference in their rights to protest.

The trial follows the acquittal by a jury in December of six people charged with the same offence during an action at Canary Wharf station in April 2019. The DLR "Canaries" also argued their actions were a proportionate, and lawful, response to the escalating climate crisis.

LINKS

Christian Climate Action - https://christianclimateaction.org/
A blog published at the time of the action: https://christianclimateaction.org/2019/10/17/a-catholic-and-anglican-priest-climb-on-top-of-train-destined-for-the-city/