17th April 2026: HXR member one of six acquitted after Waterloo Bridge slow march to demand no new oil and gas licences

On 17th April, two health professionals, including HXR member Geraldine James, along with four other Just Stop Oil supporters were acquitted at Southwark Crown Court.

The jury trial took place two and a half years after the six joined a slow march on Waterloo Bridge, to to draw attention to the climate crisis and to demand no new oil and gas licences.

On 8th November 2023, the group joined a slow march around the IMAX roundabout and north over Waterloo Bridge. They were arrested and charged with Section 7 of the Public Order Act 2023: interference with key national infrastructure. This offence, which carries a maximum penalty of 12 months imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine, was used for the first time only two days beforehand.

During the five day trial, the Judge denied the defendants all legal defences including reasonable excuse and necessity and ruled that agreed facts on climate were “irrelevant”. The defendants were, however, given around 20 minutes each to talk about their motivations for taking action.

After approximately six hours, the jury delivered their not guilty verdict . 

Following the verdict, Geraldine James, 62, a retired Child Psychotherapist from Plymouth said:

“This is a great verdict and sends a message that the police overreached their powers by charging us with Section 7. We did not cause a significant delay. It serves our democracy ill to invent anti protest laws to be used against a nonviolent and purposeful movement. 

 “I have no regrets. I took action on behalf of children everywhere; the house that they live in is on fire and my generation is responsible.  Despite ending new oil or gas licences our government is now solely focussed on silencing dissent while the climate catastrophe continues. These laws must be repealed.”

Just Stop Oil’s campaign focused on its demand of ‘no new oil and gas’. Having been successful in this, on March 27th 2025 they announced an end to their actions. However, they are clear that their supporters will continue to tell the truth in court, to speak out for our political prisoners and to help build what comes next.