Barclays 7 environmental protestors spared prison with suspended sentences
The Barclays 7, seven women charged with criminal damage after breaking the windows at Barclays HQ during a climate protest, have been sentenced to between 6 months to 8 months, suspended for 24 months.
The women had been found guilty of the actions that took place at 7 am on 7th April 2021.
Hodge Jones & Allen solicitor Laura O’Brien represents two of the women in court.
Laura O’Brien, Partner at Hodge Jones & Allen, commented: “Protest is the lifeblood of democracy, and it would have served no purpose to imprison the Barclays 7, as the suffragettes said before them – ‘rather broken windows than broken promises.’ I am delighted to hear that none of the Barclays 7 will be imprisoned – while I am saddened they received suspended sentences, this is a reasonable outcome. The women were exercising their right to disruptive protest and did that with meaning and thought. These women heard the call to draw attention to the climate catastrophe and succeeded. They did not hurt anyone in the process, instead making people think as they saw the broken glass and protest happening. The Barclays 7 demonstrated their rights courageously and as was argued in Court, this group did not deserve to be sent to prison today.”
