05 Dec Izabel Rose Media Law and Ethics (CRT_6_MLE) – EX1_50
Extinction Rebellion protester pleads guilty for Downing Street graffiti.
Extinction Rebellion protester Ian John Bray has pleaded guilty to criminal damage after graffitiing the gates of Downing Street during the November protest in London last year.
56-year-old Quaker, Ian John Bray of 55 Harvard Way appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court to the criminal damage charge taken place during the Extinction Rebellion protest at Downing Street on November 14, 2018. Mr Bray used chalk-based spray paint to graffiti Downing Street’s gates with the Extinction Rebellion campaign symbol.
The defence argued that Bray had a lawful excuse for his action, suggesting it was a reasonable and proportional action of expression seen in article 10 & 11 of the Human Rights Act 1998. The defence argued that Bray had to act because “The imminent threat of climate change is leading to serious injury and possible death, which is planned to escalate in the near future”.
Statement from police constable Flower read “On November 14th, 2018 I was at the Extinction Rebellion protest in Downing Street when I saw Mr Bray spray-painting the gates at Downing Street” he was then arrested by another officer at the scene.
Bray explained to the court he knew the paint used washed away only leaving a slight residue, pleading his actions were a legitimised response to the UK Climate Projections report from 2018 to aware governments to change our eco-systems.
His lawyer stated he had written to MP’s asking for change, alongside becoming eco-friendlier through veganism, joining climate change communities.
Bray told the court “It’s up to the bigger organisations to admit change now, we needed to highlight that”. Bray is due to return to court for sentencing next week.
