16 October 2019

Green Party co-leader Jonathan Bartley was arrested this afternoon after joining climate activists in Whitehall speaking out against the banning of peaceful protest across London.

The ban has been enforced by the Met Police this week via a section 14 order. 

A Green Party spokesperson said: “Climate chaos will end ecosystems and collapse our society. We have just 10 years to reduce our C02 emissions to safer levels and climate protesters are drawing attention to that. We all have a right to peaceful protest and we will continue to act to protect that right and draw attention to instances where democracy is threatened.”

Jonathan was arrested alongside environmentalist George Monbiot.

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16 October 2019

A collection of Climate rebels, including Parliamentarians such as myself, Caroline Lucas MP and Ellie Chowns MEP, are taking the Met Police to court to challenge the Section 14 Order which bans Extinction Rebellion Protests throughout the whole of London.

We believe that the ban is an abuse of the law and in violation of fundamental human rights. Our lawyers are seeking an emergency hearing this afternoon and we expect that the Court will rule the ban null and void. 

Until the Court rules otherwise, the police are still arresting anyone in a group who expresses, in words or otherwise, any concern about the climate and ecological emergency. 

A blanket ban on all protest across London is grossly disproportionate and an attempt to shut down anyone from voicing their concerns on the climate and ecological crisis. This ban has no place in a democratic society. If protest were banned in the capital city of any other country, UK politicians would condemn it as a crackdown on free speech and basic freedoms.

As Greens, we stand in solidarity with climate and ecological activists at home and across the world who face oppression and arrest for protecting our planet. The big question is, why do the authorities put their effort into blocking protest rather than acting strongly on climate change? 

Baroness Jones Press Officer: 

Ian Wingrove

M: 07967205330

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15 October 2019

The right to peaceful protest is a fundamental pillar of a liberal democracy. We stand in solidarity with Ellie Chowns MEP who was arrested late on Monday 14th October while peacefully attending the Extinction Rebellion gathering in Trafalgar Square.

It is disturbing that the Metropolitan Police should impose a Section 14 across the whole of London, after 9pm on Monday 14th October. This is a disproportionate response to peaceful protest and to responsible expressions of democracy at this critical time for the planet. 

A Section 14 should not be imposed across the entire capital city. It should only be applied to specific areas, and only then in response to genuine threats to public order. This is not the case here: just the indiscriminate arrest of peaceful protesters.

The imminent threat of the climate crisis and the UK government’s continued lack of meaningful action means Extinction Rebellion have legitimate cause to protest. The disruption from these protests, frustrating as it is for ordinary Londoners, is nothing compared to the enormous disruption that unchecked climate change will bring.

Limiting freedom of expression and peaceful protest – as in the case of the arrest of Ellie Chowns – is an erosion of the quality of our democracy.

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10 October 2019

Greens have welcomed plans to turn the European Investment Bank (EIB) into Europe’s “climate bank”, which forms part of a pledge by the new Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, to deliver a ‘European Green Deal.’

However, they say such a proposal only makes sense if the EIB agrees to end all financing of fossil fuel projects and rapidly become a bank which exclusively supports the transition to a climate-neutral economy.

Molly Scott Cato, who spoke during a European Parliament debate on the future of the EIB today and is Green party spokesperson on finance [link to video], said:

“We need to rapidly increase funding for activities that will bring about quick wins and dramatic carbon reductions including large-scale home insulation, electrification of services currently provided by fossil fuels, and massive investment in public transport. But this must run in parallel with an immediate end to the funding of all fossil fuel projects.

“We need a climate bank that does what it says on the tin, not one that counters investments in the green economy by throwing more money at projects which continue to push business as usual.” 

Professor Scott Cato also raised concerns about how Brexit would affect the UK’s ability to invest in the transition to a green economy. The EIB provides around £5.5 billion a year for investment across the UK, including over £1bn support for green energy infrastructure.

Molly Scott Cato said:

“Brexit will cut us off from an important source of funding for the green transition. The government has offered no replacement for this vital investment if we leave the EU. Given that Brextremists are at the heart of government and many of them are also climate deniers, it is clear that leaving the EU would be disastrous for the UKs efforts to tackle the climate emergency.”

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8 October 2019

Green MP and Mayoral candidates Carla Denyer and Sandy Hore-Ruthven have issued a letter to the people of Bristol today, calling on the city to face up to the climate crisis.

The letter is in support of the peaceful climate protests being launched today by Extinction Rebellion, taking place in London and in cities around the world.

Greens in Bristol will be joining the action in solidarity, while advocating bold political action to address the climate crisis on Bristol City Council, in the West of England, and in Westminster.

The letter reads as follows.  

“Bristol,

We need to face up to the truth. We are currently on track to see over 3°C warming within most of our lifetimes. Already, we’ve witnessed a change in Bristol’s weather, but across the globe people are suffering the consequences of extreme storms, droughts and sea level rise.  These problems are only going to get worse and the effects will be felt disproportionately by the poorest. How we respond to this crisis depends on us all. It is not too late to avert the very worst effects. The changes we need to make are unprecedented, but through innovation and persistence we can deal with climate chaos. Bristol can lead the way. Will you join us in recognising this crisis?

In spite of it all, we face this challenge with hope. Bristol is resilient and bold, and we have within ourselves the resources to solve this. Many of the changes we need to make will even benefit our city – better public transport, warm homes and new green jobs. We are committed as future leaders in the city to putting the necessary steps in place to meet the crisis face on. It is something we all have to do together. Join us in heeding Extinction Rebellion’s message and in supporting peaceful actions already being promoted by the Greens and others to help our city change.

Yours sincerely,
Carla Denyer (Green MP candidate for Bristol West) and Sandy Hore-Ruthven (Green Mayoral candidate for Bristol)”

Carla Denyer has been invited to travel to London to speak at the rebellion this weekend, further details to be confirmed shortly.

Both candidates also offered to meet with residents or community groups to discuss their concerns or hear their suggestions for what Bristol should do to respond to the climate emergency. 

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