Top Posts
African climate change projects secure major funding
Former French PM urges China, Europe to unite...
NDDC, FOSDO launch tree-planting campaign to address climate...
WHO unveils an ambitious blueprint for action on...
New report shows nearly 900 million poor people...
Lagos to Host 2025 International Climate Change Summit
New study shows overheating world will add 57...
NAICOM urges W’African insurers to invest in climate...
Climate change: Nigeria, development partners launch Net Zero...
Nigeria launches net zero project to fight climate...
EcoNai Newsroom
  • Newsround
  • Nigeria
  • Africa
  • World
World

Activists who smashed glass door of JP Morgan convicted of criminal damage

by admineconai March 3, 2024
written by admineconai March 3, 2024
670

At least five climate change activists have been convicted of smashing a glass revolving door at JP Morgan’s European headquarters.

A judge said that the activists’ beliefs did not “afford them a defence”.

Stephanie Aylett, 29, Pamela Bellinger, 66, Amy Pritchard, 38, Adelheid Russenberger, 32 and Rosemary Webster, 66, used hammers and chisels to cause “many thousands of pounds” of damage during the Extinction Rebellion protest.

According to reports, they smashed a custom-built revolving door and a large glazed panel at the entrance to the US bank’s Victoria Embankment offices in the City of London on 1 September 2021. Pritchard told Inner London crown court the policies of JP Morgan had led to the deaths of “hundreds of thousands of children”.

But Silas Reid, the judge asked the jury to “put aside sympathy or prejudice” when the trial began.

Read also: Sycamore Gap tree to go on public display in Northumberland

He said: “You may have views about those actions or organisations, you may have views about climate change. This is not a trial about climate change. It is a trial about criminal damage. It is nothing more than that and nothing less.”

The five women were convicted of causing criminal damage after a two-week trial. Reid adjourned sentencing until 7 June.

Reid told the jury: “The reasons behind their protests don’t afford them a defence in this case. None of these defendants did these things for the fun of it, or because they are criminal people.

“They did it because they honestly believed it was something they needed to do. Well, they are not allowed to do it. It is a crime.”

During legal arguments Reid had ruled Aylett and her co-defendants could talk about their beliefs in relation to climate change in front of the jury.

He said: “Ms Aylett is entitled to tell the jury about her beliefs. She is entitled to say what her beliefs about climate change are.

“I would be shocked, having previously dealt with Ms Aylett, if the jury came to any conclusion other than that she holds her beliefs about climate change with anything other than the utmost honesty.

Story was adapted from the Guardian.

ActivistsCriminal damageJP Morgan
0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
admineconai

previous post
Sycamore Gap tree to go on public display in Northumberland
next post
Study finds Ski resorts’ era of plentiful snow may be over due to climate crisis

Related Posts

Former French PM urges China, Europe to unite...

October 22, 2025

WHO unveils an ambitious blueprint for action on...

October 20, 2025

New report shows nearly 900 million poor people...

October 20, 2025

New study shows overheating world will add 57...

October 16, 2025

Heaviest monsoon in a decade kills 458 people...

October 9, 2025

Council releases first fully electric bin lorry

October 9, 2025

Study shows US asthma inhalers produce same emissions...

October 7, 2025

Pope Leo hits out at climate change critics

October 3, 2025

Protesters seek $5tr payment from fossil fuel companies

October 1, 2025

UN official says climate change displaces up to...

September 30, 2025

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Newsletter

Subscribe my Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. Let's stay updated!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Bloglovin
  • Vimeo

@2021 - All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by Eco-Nai+

EcoNai Newsroom
  • Newsround
  • Nigeria
  • Africa
  • World