Destruction of biz’s property OK when it prevents global warming
October 22, 2008 by Shane BorerPosted in: "Seemed like a good idea at the time", In this week's e-newsletter, Latest news & views, Tech failure, Whistleblowers
After this ruling, your company might not have a choice in going green — protesters can legally take matters into their own hands.
When six Greenpeace activists caused nearly $50,000 in damage to a British coal-fired power station, many expected they’d be held monetarily responsible for the criminal activities.
But at trial, jurors accepted the defense’s argument that the protesters have a “lawful excuse to damage property” at the station because it would prevent even greater damage caused by climate change. The “lawful excuse” was first brought up in England’s Criminal Damage Act of 1971, which allowed damage to be caused to property to prevent even greater damage somewhere else — in situations like breaking down the door of a burning house to extinguish a fire.
The activists painted the name of government official on the side of the facility’s chimney. Plans to open another coal-fired station are in the works, but government officials and protesters are fighting on both sides of the argument.
Tags: Climate change, Global warming, Green peace, Protest
October 22nd, 2008 at 6:34 am
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October 29th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
I cannot believe the interpretation of this law. Can the utility now damage vehicles, houses and other property of someone because the items will cause pollution and climate change, which could cause greater damage ? If the jury agrees with green Peace, they better get out of their houses, which have to be heated. Maybe Green Peace should go live in the woods instead of houses that use electricity and have to be heated. And they should walk, instead of driving vehicles ! This is Political Correctness taken way too far.