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Extinction Rebellion Activists Cleared by Jury

Six Extinction Rebellion activists halted transport links serving London’s financial district, in April 2019, for two hours to draw attention to the financial industry’s contribution to the climate emergency.

Last Friday, after a week-long trial, all six were acquitted by a Jury, unanimously and within an hour of being sent away by the judge to consider their verdict.

The protestors were charged with interfering with the running of a train at Docklands Light Railway station, at Canary Wharf, in London.

During the trial they argued their actions were legitimate and lawful protest against government inaction over and the financial sector’s contribution to the climate crisis.

Four of the activists were represented by Mike Schwarz, partner in our criminal defence team.

Commenting on their acquittal by the jury he said “The defendants’ motives chimed with the concerns of 12 citizens representative of the wider public. The jury all agreed the climate crisis requires radical action. This reinforces the importance of both civil disobedience and juries in a healthy democracy.”

The trial was held at Inner London Crown Court. Mike Schwarz is an expert in protest law and a leading criminal defence solicitor.

Mike instructed barristers Henry Blaxland QC from Garden Court chambers and Blinne Ni Ghralaigh from Matrix chambers.