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UK: Injunctions SLAPPed on Protesters

01 March 1997

Companies are making increased use of court injunction as a method of preventing protest. SchNews, an activist bulletin based in Brighton, has analyzed a trend that apparently started in the USA (where it became known as SLAPPing-Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) and has since been a prominent weapon in the arsenal of companies and Government in the UK.

Among those who have suffered from this new fashion are 76 people involved with the Twyford Down anti-roads protests, who have been served with injunctions by the Department of Transport preventing them from entering the construction site or interfering with work in any way. Disregarding these terms would result in sentences of up to six months in jail. Eight people who have disregarded these injunction have since been given jail sentences.

Other victims include 30 Newbury anti-roads protesters who have been served with injunctions preventing them from trespassing on any part of the route of the proposed bypass or "interfering with work". One person is currently in jail following the breaking of this injunction .

Extreme cases of this trend include 13 people who have been served with a lifetime injunction by British Aerospace preventing them from interfering with their business in any way, even by leafleting or speaking at a public meeting. Another victim was long-time peace activist Lindis Percy, who has recently completed a nine month sentence after breaking an injunction that stopped her from entering RAF Lakenheath.

SchNews advises anyone who needs help dealing with injunctions to contact EarthRights Environmental Law Centre, The Battlebridge centre, 2-6 Battlebridge road London N1 2TL.

SchNews 14.3.97