Climate Protesters Spark Massive M25 Chaos
On October 17 last year, Morgan Trowland, 40, and Marcus Decker, 36, brought one of Britain’s busiest roads to a grinding halt. The duo dangled a banner between pillars on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links the M25, causing chaos and gridlock for over 24 hours.
Traffic Nightmare and Serious Disruption
The blockade snarled traffic for miles, forcing police to divert thousands of vehicles. The mayhem affected “many tens of thousands, some very significantly,” according to court reports. Among those trapped were a heavily pregnant woman needing urgent medical help and a mourner who missed their best friend’s funeral after 35 years. Small businesses also took a hit, with some losing over £160,000 in revenue due to the jam.
Guilty Verdict and Court Drama
Last week at Southend Crown Court, both men were unanimously found guilty of causing a public nuisance. Stephanie Golder, a Just Stop Oil spokesperson, confirmed their conviction. The pair have been in custody since their first court appearance.
“Morgan and Marcus were found guilty by unanimous verdicts of producing a public nuisance.” – Stephanie Golder
Defendants Speak Out, But Judge Unmoved
Jacob Bindman, representing Trowland, said his client has turned a page. “He has no plans for large-scale disruptive protests in the future. He’s done his part and doesn’t want to spend his life in and out of prison.”
Meanwhile, Decker’s lawyer Rebecca Martin insisted the protest wasn’t his idea, stressing he was not involved in planning. She called both defendants “acting for the greater good.”
But the judge wasn’t convinced. “I observed no indications that these defendants are any less committed to their causes than before,” he said.
Defiant Protesters Vow to Fight On
Outside court, Stephanie Golder condemned the sentences but said they wouldn’t stop the campaign.
“What Morgan and Marcus accomplished was exceptional, hazardous, and incredibly disruptive. But what choice do we have when our government ignores climate warnings and keeps pushing oil and gas exploitation?”
“Nonviolent civil resistance is our best hope – just like the Suffragettes and Civil Rights leaders. These tough sentences won’t stop Just Stop Oil. For every one of us jailed, ten more will rise.”
She added that the campaign would resume on April 24, urging the public to join their “fight against this homicidal government” and block the damage caused by new oil and gas projects.
