A former easyJet pilot has been fined after he sat in the road outside Harrods to cause traffic chaos during a climate change protest.
Recall that George Hibberd, 29, was part of a group of about 20 Just Stop Oil (JSO) activists who protested outside the world-famous store in Knightsbridge, London. While some glued themselves to the road while others sprayed orange paint on the front of Harrods on 20 October last year. It marked the 20th consecutive day of action taken by JSO, which is calling on the government to halt all new oil and gas licences.
Hibberd, of Chichester, West Sussex, along with Paul Bleach, 55, of Portsmouth, Hampshire, John Blewett, 56, of Dorking, Surrey, Katharine Chesterman, 57, of Hythe, and Selma Heimedinger, 23, of Southsea, Hants were reported to have denied causing a public obstruction in Brompton Road.
However, they were found guilty and fined.
Read also: Ruto to lead Africa’s push for concrete actions, solutions to climate change
Giving evidence, Hibberd told Westminster magistrates court he had left his dream job as a pilot because he felt frustrated about the airline’s unwillingness to tackle climate change. “I tried to change the industry from the inside. This put me in direct opposition with industry leaders and even union leaders. I had to decide whether to bury my head in the sand or leave my childhood dream job. I chose the latter.”
Hibberd, who said that he was later diagnosed with eco-anxiety, told the court: “We tried everything. We have been to parliament, and we have written to our MPs. We were covered by almost every national news outlet.”
When asked how motorists had reacted to the disruption Hibberd said: “I maybe saw one or two people who were visibly angry.”
Heimedinger told the court: “I love animals and nature. I am studying veterinary nursing because I care deeply about animals and life. The action we took on Brompton Road was not violent. The protest was peaceful and orderly at all times.
“Two months before we took action 10 million were displaced by flooding in Pakistan. Traffic is blocked for 60 minutes is not comparable to that. Blocking traffic is entirely proportionate.”
The district judge, Daniel Sternberg, said: “The obstruction resulted in travel congestion. You were each spoken to by one police officer. You each decided to remain seated. The protest caused significant disruption.”
The court heard a truck delivering emergency equipment to Guy’s hospital was caught up in the congestion.
Story was adapted from the Guardian.
