How you can support Dr Pat Hart, imprisoned for undertaking peaceful climate protest to protect life

Posted by: Hils - Posted on:

Dr Patrick Hart, the first working GP to be sent to prison for climate activism has been jailed for 12 months for sounding the alarm on the health threats of the climate emergency. Check out these quick actions to support him:

  1. Donate what you can to crowdsource funds to support Dr Hart as he seeks legal advice as to whether he can apply for Leave to Appeal. This new crowdfunder is to support him in funding this: https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/support-gp-appeal-prison-sentence/ Please donate what you can. Please also share this crowdfunder with at least 2 other people

2. Sign and share this petition demanding the GMC stop suspending doctors’ acting on the climate emergency www.change.org/p/help-medic…

3. Sign and share this open letter to the GMC objecting to their policy of disciplining doctors participating in civil disobedience motivated by a desire to protect health from the climate and health emergency – https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LDTUUIOoliZ_w-lA8hK9Jc8gWempndqqDC2sPOE82u4/edit?tab=t.0

4. Read and share this compelling piece in the Journal of Medical Ethics which powerfully explains why the General Medical Council (GMC) would be wrong to suspend Dr Hart from the medical register blogs.bmj.com/medical-ethi…

5. Email the GMC (gmc@gmc-uk.org) to demand they reconsider their unevidenced position on suspending doctors who take part in climate activism.

6. Attend the Defend Our Juries action at the Royal Courts of Justice on January 29th & 30th at the mass-appeal of 16 political prisoners, to defend our democratic and human rights and our right to peacefully protest defendourjuries.org/free-politic… Look out for fuurther DoJ actions too.

7. Email the Royal College of GPs to ask them to issue a supportive statement regarding Dr Hart’s case (info@rcgp.org.uk)

8. Email the justice secretary to demand the UK Government re-evaluate the draconian sentences for peaceful protestors shabana.mahmood.mp@parliament.uk

9. If you’re a health professional (or a retired health professional) who is deeply concerned about the climate crisis – now is the time to join us at HXR. They think locking us up will stop us. But the fires in our hearts and our bellies just grows stronger for justice. Be are part of the movement for a healthier and liveable world Join Us – Health for XR

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PAT, HIS ACTION AND THE VERDICT

The public gallery in Chelmsford Crown Court on 7th January 2025 were in shock as Dr Pat Hart, a GP from Bristol, was given a 12 months prison sentence by Judge Mills. Pat was found guilty of criminal damage in a trial in October 2022 after disabling some petrol pumps at the Thurrock Services on the M25 on the 24th August 2022. He had explained in the trial that the action was part of Just Stop Oils campaign calling on the government to stop issuing new fossil fuel licences, which it has since done. He further explained that Esso’s parent company, ExxonMobil, had for decades been deliberately denying and covering up the knowledge that it had that its activities were causing climate change which would be catastrophic for life on earth. 

This sentence would have an impact beyond the imprisonment as it would trigger an automatic referral to the Medical Practice Tribunal Service to determine whether he would have his licence to practice as a doctor suspended or even be struck off, after practicing for over 20 years

Pat has explained how it was his duty of care as a doctor, to protect life, that motivated him to take this action. 

“Right now, the greatest health threat to all of us is the unfolding climate catastrophe. It is the greatest health threat we have ever faced. All healthcare workers have a responsibility to protect the health of their patients. If we do not stand up to the oil and gas executives who are wreaking havoc on our climate and the politicians who enable them, if we do not end the burning of fossil fuels, then we will have failed as a profession and the health systems that we have developed over centuries will collapse. I will continue to fight against the death sentence of fossil fuels for as long as I have strength in me. I have no greater duty as a doctor at this moment in history.” 

7th January 2025: HXR member and GP Dr Patrick Hart given 12 month sentence for damage to petrol pumps and states he “will not give up on caring” – Health for XR

Can property damage ever be an act of care? Dr Patrick Hart demonstrates courage and compassion facing down Exxon Mobil. – Health for XR