Trial begins of Paralympian who climbed on top of a plane - Extinction Rebellion UK

Trial begins of Paralympian who climbed on top of a plane

Email: press@extinctionrebellion.uk
Phone: +44(0)7918165046
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Monday 26 July: The jury trial of former Paralympian James Brown, who climbed on top of an aeroplane during XR’s October 2019 Rebellion, begins this morning.

James, 56, who is visually-impaired, is charged with public nuisance after live-streaming from the top of the plane at London City Airport and gluing himself on.

His action was part of Extinction Rebellion’s occupation of the airport on 10th October 2019 in protest against aviation expansion and the climate impact of flying.

James won two gold medals for Great Britain at the 1984 Summer Paralympics Olympics in New York for athletics, and a bronze for Ireland in 2012 for cycling. He also competed in cross country skiing and biathlon.

The trial, at Southwark Crown Court before judge Gregory Perrins, is scheduled to conclude on Wednesday or Thursday. 

James will be available for interview following the verdict.

For more information, footage of the action and interview requests contact Zoë Blackler on 07918165046.
Photocredit @Helena Smith


​​ABOUT EXTINCTION REBELLION

Time has almost entirely run out to address the ecological crisis which is upon us, including the 6th mass species extinction, global pollution, and increasingly rapid climate change. If urgent and radical action isn’t taken, we’re heading towards 4˚C warming, and the societal collapse and mass loss of life that that implies. The younger generation, racially marginalised communities and the Global South are on the front-line. No-one will escape the devastating impacts.

Extinction Rebellion believes it is a citizen’s duty to rebel, using peaceful civil disobedience, when faced with criminal inactivity by their Government.

Extinction Rebellion’s key demands are:

  1. Government must tell the truth by declaring a climate and ecological emergency, working with other institutions to communicate the urgency for change.
  2. Government must act now to halt biodiversity loss and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025.
  3. Government must create and be led by the decisions of a Citizens’ Assembly on climate and ecological justice.

What Emergency? | Extinction Rebellion in Numbers |This Is Not A Drill: An Extinction Rebellion Handbook 

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