Public Meeting Act 1908, in the good company of the Suffragettes. 12/06/19

Following a peaceful protest on February 11th 2019, today Rob Possnett was found guilty under the Public Meeting Act 1908 and given a conditional discharge of 12 months.
Below is a statement released by XR Norwich Media and Messaging group in response to today's result. 

Extinction Rebellion Norwich spokesperson Amy Wilson said "We are disappointed but not surprised by the verdict received today by Robert Possnett at Norwich Magistrates Court. 
Having been charged under the 1908 Public Meeting Act, which was brought in to control the civil disobedience of the Suffragettes, the court today spent hours deliberating the nature of disorder and in the end the magistrate opted for a dictionary definition. 
Given the disorder that we are likely to witness over the next 20-50 years, we believe that future historians in the UK will look back on cases like the Possnett Trial with a similar degree of sympathy and admiration afforded to the Suffragette Movement."

The result may not have gone our way but the courage, integrity and passion demonstrated by Rob throughout the trial has made many of us feel very proud to know him. Many of those that came along to support him today have left feeling even more united and encouraged to continue to stand up for climate justice.  

In come back to the judges comments about it being a shame that today Rob 'lost his good character', I think it is fair to say we all feel quite the opposite was achieved. Thank you Rob. 

Read theEDP article here
Read theBBC article here