PRESS STATEMENT – 8 NOVEMBER 2023 – THIS IS RIGGED: UCI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP DISRUPTION TRIAL
8TH Nov- Press Release-
THIS IS RIGGED: ‘UCI CYCLING RACE’ DISRUPTOR’S TRIAL
Statement issued by Solicitor Aamer Anwar on behalf of our clients- ‘This is Rigged”
Today four activists appeared at Falkirk Sheriff Court charged with Breach of the Peace and were convicted today following trial.
Background:-
- On the 6th August 2023: 4 people with “This is Rigged” halted the UCI world cycling championships in the Campsies for an hour, locking to one another and glueing to the road.
- The blockade occurred during 3 weeks of actions by the group, in which Grangemouth terminal was repeatedly shut down, disrupting 70% of Scotland’s fuel supply. The group also spray-painted a portrait of the King, climbed the Kelpies, and painted Scottish parliament red.
- This is Rigged are a Scottish direct action group – their first demand, being that the Scottish Government vocally oppose all new oil and gas licences, was met in September, with First Minister Humza Yousaf opposing the Rosebank gas field and all future licenses.
- The group is still demanding a guaranteed fair transition plan for Scotland’s oil workers, which does not currently exist.
- The group also focus on the cost of living crisis in Scotland, redistributing food in a series of ‘Robin Hood’ actions.
Last month, Falkirk experienced extreme flooding during a “risk to life” yellow weather warning. Roads were closed and multiple cars were submerged, as a month’s worth of rain fell in 24 hours. Scotland has been repeatedly battered by abnormally heavy rainfall linked to the climate crisis, with Storm Babet claiming seven lives. In June, two months before the race disruption took place, the Campsies were on fire during one of several record-breaking heat waves in Scotland this summer.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has condemned the licensing of future oil fields, saying that it “spells catastrophe” and that “trading the future for 30 pieces of silver is immoral. We are hurtling towards disaster, eyes wide open. It is time to wake up and step up.”
Vatican team cyclist Rien Schuurhuis is quoted as saying that, in the hour the race was disrupted, the cyclists discussed the impacts of the climate crisis on their home countries:
Rebecca Kerr, 29, (admonished) Ben Taylor, 29, (£250 fine) Catriona Roberts, 21,(admonished) Romane Moulin, 26 (admonished) ,were all convicted today following trial.
Rebecca Kerr was represented by Aamer Anwar and Co, whilst Taylor, Roberts and Moulin self-represented. During the action, the four activists chained themselves to each other and glued onto the road to disrupt the race. At the time, a spokesperson for the group claimed that “this isn’t about cycling” but that they were “forced to act” due to government inaction on the climate crisis”
During the trial, defendant Catriona Roberts (a 21 year old student based in Glasgow) said:
“If your house is on fire and you scream in the street, stop the traffic and become rooted in fear, would you be arrested for breach of the peace? No, of course not. Well, our home is on fire, and just because you may be privileged enough to not feel it yet, does not mean we shouldn’t be screaming in the streets.”
Romane Moulin, 26, a renewable energy software developer based in Glasgow said:
“I took the action because I don’t want to be passive anymore in front of climate collapse and the inaction of those in power. I don’t want to look back and feel like we didn’t do something when we still had time”
‘This is Rigged’ have been taking action since the start of the year, and are accused of smashing the glass case that houses William Wallace’s sword at the Wallace Monument in Stirling, to disrupting FMQs weekly, to interrupting the Scottish coronation in Edinburgh. During 3 weeks of sustained action in July and August, the group stand accused of disrupting 70% of Scotland’s petrol supply by repeatedly blockading Grangemouth oil terminal in a show of mass civil disobedience.
They also climbed the Falkirk Kelpies, painted Holyrood red, and spray-painted a portrait of the King with the Highland Land League’s slogan: “is treasa tuath na tighearna – they people are mightier than a lord.” The group have also carried out a series of ‘Robin Hood’ style actions to redistribute food from supermarkets, calling attention to the link between the climate crisis and cost of living crisis, and skyrocketing rates of food insecurity in Scotland.
The 4 activists welcomed that the Sheriff stated during the trial that the climate crisis is “incredibly relevant to the world” and that “as an individual – not as a sheriff, but as an individual I accept what you’re saying”
To conclude our client Rebecca Kerr stated:-
“As long as major oil and gas companies are allowed to operate freely, sponsoring events, recruiting at universities, lobbying politicians, then we will continue to fight back. This business as usual approach, is driving us towards a precipice, and has to be challenged wherever possible”
