Public figures speak up for protesters in prison
JVL Introduction
Over a hundred writers, artists, actors and others speak out in support of all those imprisoned recently in the UK for taking part in nonviolent protests.
It was only in September that UN Secretary General, António Guterres, called on world leaders to end their “suicidal war against nature”.
We must support all those who have put themselves on the line. It is a fight for the very right to protest itself, an essential part of the struggle for human survival.
This article was originally published by Extinction Rebellion on Fri 6 Jan 2023. Read the original here.
Public figures speak up for protesters in prison
Brian Eno, David Gilmour, Nick Hornby, A L Kennedy, Robert Macfarlane, Ben Okri, Chris Packham, Helen Pankhurst, Miranda Richardson, Sir Simon Schama, Kamila Shamsie, Lemn Sissay, Ali Smith, Juliet Stevenson and Dame Emma Thompson are among those who have signed a letter which begins: ‘We are writing in solidarity with all those in the UK who have recently been imprisoned for taking part in nonviolent protests. 
This letter – co-ordinated by Writers Rebel – is published after a year in which over 100 protesters have been imprisoned in Britain, and in which more punitive legislation against protest has been passed.
‘We are writing in solidarity with all those in the UK who have recently been imprisoned for taking part in nonviolent protests. Right now, many people who are deeply concerned about the climate and environment are turning to civil disobedience. While it is understandable that the state wishes to limit the disruption this may cause, it is vital that the right to protest is protected. Protest plays an essential part in our society in raising public awareness and enabling change. Let us not forget the urgency of the situation that environmental protesters are highlighting. The resilience and stability of our climate and our whole ecosystem are at risk. As António Guterres has said, ‘Climate activists are sometimes depicted as dangerous radicals. But the truly dangerous radicals are the countries that are increasing the production of fossil fuels.’ We stand with all those who are trying to sound the alarm and to protect our beautiful world.’
Here is a full list of the signatories, in alphabetical order:
Saleh Addonia, Patience Agbabi, Amir Amirani, Josh Appignanesi, Chloe Aridjis, Ros Barber, Devorah Baum, Ned Beauman, Ian Bostridge, Frankie Boyle, Susie Boyt, Valerie Brown, Noam Chomsky, Julie Christie, Joe Corré, Lindsey Coulson, Jill Dawson, Jeremy Deller, Tishani Doshi, Cath Drake, Stella Duffy, Joe Dunthorne, Sharon Eckman, Rachel Edwards, Inua Ellams, Brian Eno, Paul Ewen, Jane Feaver, James Flint, Bella Freud, Uri Fruchtmann, Romola Garai, Maggie Gee, Zoe Gilbert, David Gilmour, Linda Grant, Neil Griffiths, Anouchka Grose, Xiaolu Guo, Mark Haddon, Chris Hedges, Peter Hobbs, Stewart Home, Nick Hornby, Philip Horne, Tansy Hoskins, Andrew Michael Hurley, Bianca Jagger, Carsten Jensen, Liz Jensen, Alice Jolly, Sadakat Kadri, A L Kennedy, Roman Krznaric, Olivia Laing, Nick Laird, Deborah Levy, Daniel Lismore, Toby Litt, Alex Lockwood, Dara McAnulty, Tom McCarthy, Robert Macfarlane, Diana McCaulay, Jarred McGinnis, Adam McKay, Jean McNeil, Tessa McWatt, Adam Marek, James Miller, Blake Morrison, Timothy Morton, Tom Mustill, Julie Myerson, Courttia Newland, Gregory Norminton, Andrew O’Hagan, Ben Okri, Susie Orbach, Chris Packham, Ruth Padel, Cindy Palmano, Helen Pankhurst, Laline Paull, Marie Phillips, Joanna Pocock, Max Porter, Chris Power, Irwin Rappaport, Kate Raworth, Miranda Richardson, Adam Roberts, Monique Roffey, Meg Rosoff, Minoli Salgado, Polly Samson, Roc Sandford, Sir Simon Schama, Anakana Schofield, Kamila Shamsie, Shelley Silas, Lemn Sissay, Ali Smith, Simon Stephens, Juliet Stevenson, Clover Stroud, Peter Tatchell, Nick Taussig, Adam Thirlwell, Rupert Thomson, Dame Emma Thompson, Matt Thorne, Jeremy Till, Matthew Todd, Jessica Townsend, Dale Vince, Ed Vulliamy, Dame Harriet Walter, Natasha Walter, Dame Marina Warner, Alex Wheatle, Sarah Winman, Karen McCarthy Woolf, Naomi Wood, Louisa Young
A few of the signatories wanted to let us know why they signed.
AL Kennedy, writer, said: ‘In the chaos and ruin the pseudo-Conservative regime has created in the UK, we have seen many treasures and values dear to most Brits destroyed. Our NHS, our beaches and rivers, our inner cities and national monuments, our arts, our transport and education systems and so much more are all on the brink of collapse. While Brits maintain their empathy and humanity, they struggle against a government with neither. Perhaps worst of all is the dogged lawlessness of those who rule us and their slow imposition of antidemocratic legislation to suppress dissent. That the UK now has political prisoners, incarcerated for defending sustainable life on Earth is yet another national disgrace.’
Ben Okri, writer, said: ‘Why is it easier to punish people who are trying to save our world than to face the causes of the environmental disaster hanging over the human race?’
Helen Pankhurst, writer and campaigner, said: ‘At Bow Street Magistrate Courts in 1908 my great grandmother Emmeline Pankhurst defended the Suffragettes’ actions by saying: “We are here, not because we are law-breakers; We are here in our efforts to become law-makers.” The same applies to the actions of climate activists today. They have my support both because the barriers to protest that they are increasingly facing demonstrates the dangers to democracy when protest is silenced and because climate change is an existential threat that those with power must do more to confront.’
Juliet Stevenson, actor, said: ‘The science is irrefutable, and the devastating effects of climate change can now be seen all around us. It is not those who are in prison for protesting who are behaving irresponsibly, but our government, which has persistently refused to take appropriate action. Instead of locking up those who take to the streets in protest, the government should act now on climate change.’
To add your name to the letter, or for more information about this campaign, email us at – xrwritersrebel@gmail.com
A brilliant statement, signed by a brilliant list of people, not all of whom would, by any stretch, be described as ‘radical’. I have so much respect for all those, mostly young, but not all, whose creative demonstrating for the most important cause that exists today has landed them in jail. I think we should start a sub-group: “Old Jews against climate change” – and baffle everyone completely! What kind of creative demonstrating could we engage in? Suggestions here please!
And just who is this shambles of Govt in hock to? See for yourselves who “call the shots”! Am I the only one with eyes in my head?
Currently nothing changes. We elect to the most senior responsible positions liars, charlatans and self serving politicians such as Trump and Johnson whilst imprisoning truth tellers such as Assange and those referenced above. Will a letter, regardless of its intention make a difference, doubtful. We just have to keep doing the hard yards of campaigning.
Clearly capitalism and the Rich are taking more and more charge of the planet and of humanity such that demonstrators, especially ecologists, can be arrested and jailed in increasing numbers. Capitalism is in such a desperate economic condition that it has no choice but become cynical and savage. Jail the corporate boards, not the ecologists.
Everyone being held in prison for drawing attention to the climate crisis we’re facing should be immediately released. These people represent the best of humanity: giving up their own safety and freedom to save others. Respect and thanks.
The Western media talks about “our kind of refugees” all the time.
I condemn the selective outrage and hypocrisy of our government and press… the fact that there are ‘Worthy’ and ‘unworthy’ victims.
The war being ‘simplified’ by some Marvel comic ‘good guy/bad guy’ dynamics.
We need to look into and condemn all acts of barbarism.
There must be a minimal moral integrity in humanity. If it is wrong when ‘they’ do it, it is therefore wrong when ‘we’ do it.
And let’s never forget what they did to Craig Murray, which was of course a blatant stitch-up.