PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: A group of Just Stop Oil activists were convicted of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance after planning to disrupt London’s Heathrow Airport by gluing themselves to the runway.
👥 Who’s Involved: Nine Just Stop Oil activists and Judge Hannah Duncan.
📍 Where & When: The judge’s ruling occurred on May 16, 2025.
💬 Key Quote: Judge Hannah Duncan stated the activists showed “no remorse” for their actions and wasted court time to garner publicity for themselves.
⚠️ Impact: The activists avoided prison, receiving either suspended sentences or credit for time already served, which will do little to deter other climate extremists.
IN FULL:
Nine activists from the climate extremist group Just Stop Oil have avoided jail after being convicted of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance in connection with a planned disruption at Heathrow Airport. The group had intended to glue themselves to the airport runway, but police intervened, preventing what authorities described as “unprecedented disruption.”
The case was heard at Isleworth Crown Court, where Judge Hannah Duncan noted that the activists had not breached the airport’s perimeter fence and had caused no “actual harm” or disruption. However, she criticized the group for showing “no remorse” for their actions. The court handed down suspended sentences to some defendants, while others were deemed to have already served their time.
Despite these weak sentences, Judge Duncan slammed the activists for treating the courtroom as an “extension of the protest.” She stated, “There are women and children who have been abused, sexually assaulted or raped who are waiting for court rooms. You used one for seven weeks. Some of you dragging it out as much as you could at every opportunity, lying about your actions and intentions that day all to get more publicity.”
The planned protest was part of a broader campaign by Just Stop Oil, which demands the end of all fossil fuel usage. The group has gained notoriety for its extremist tactics, which include throwing paint on priceless works of art, blocking major roadways across the United Kingdom, and vandalizing pieces of British history like the Magna Carta and Stonehenge.
Members of the group have been sentenced for past actions, including a five-year sentence for cofounder Roger Hallam for disputing traffic in 2022. However, in March of this year, his sentence was deemed excessive and reduced to four years.
Climate extremists’ protests on public roads have had dire consequences, with people suffering permanent damage after being prevented from reaching hospitals in a timely fashion following medical episodes, or even dying after being diverted to busier roads where they were involved in accidents.
