THREE Just Stop Oil activists are the first to stand trial under Section 7 of the Public Order Act after taking part in a peaceful 20-minute march.

Phoebe Plummer, Chiara Sarti and Daniel Hall appeared in court for the second day of their trial today at Southwark Crown Court.

In November, they marched along Cromwell Road in London, demanding the government end all licences for new oil, gas and coal projects.

Following their arrest, Ms Plummer was imprisoned without trial for 18 days, while Ms Sarti was imprisoned for 19 days, without trial.

The trial is the first-ever for breach of Section 7 of the Public Order Act, for acts “which prevent or significantly delay the operation of key infrastructure, including airports, railways, printing presses and oil and gas infrastructure.”

The offence carries a penalty of up to 12 months’ imprisonment. 

Ms Plummer said: “I’m terrified about the rapid erosion of our right to speak out about what is happening and what measures the government will take to silence people sounding the alarm bells on the climate crisis in order to protect corporate profits.”