No Jail Time for Delta 5 in Historic Case That 'Welcomes Jurors to Climate Movement'
Activists who blockaded oil train in September 2014 will not face financial restitution claims or jail time
A jury in Washington state on Friday found that the defendants in the potentially groundbreaking "Delta 5" case, who in September 2014 blockaded an oil train in Everett and this week argued they were compelled to act over the threat of climate change, were not guilty of obstruction.
The defendants were found to be guilty of trespass, but will not face claims of financial harm to Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railway company after being cleared of the obstruction charges. They will also not face jail time.
According to Tim DeChristopher, a Seattle-based climate activist and co-founder of Peaceful Uprising, the jury said they understood the defendants were trying to raise public awareness to critical issues.
One juror reportedly told them, "Thanks for the education."
As Common Dreams reported on Tuesday, the historic case marks the first time a U.S. judge has allowed the "necessity defense" to be argued in a trial over a climate action--but on Thursday, Snohomish County Judge Anthony Howard instructed the jury not to consider the argument, "undercutting" the defendants' ability to defend themselves, as DeChristopher said at the time.
Still, Howard said, "Frankly the court is convinced that the defendants are far from the problem and are part of the solution to the problem of climate change," though he added that he was "bound by legal precedent, no matter what my personal beliefs might be."
In the end, the jury appeared to understand the activists' goals. On Twitter, one witness to the trial described a "beautiful, emotional conversation with jurors, convicted only where they felt compelled to."
In fact, jurors and defendants reportedly hugged after the decision came in, with one of the activists, Jackie Minchew, telling the panel, "Welcome to the movement."
Follow the reactions on Twitter:
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. US voters have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. Our Fall Campaign is underway, and we need your help. To power our newsroom through the rest of the year, we need to raise $125,000 by midnight on October 31. So if you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
A jury in Washington state on Friday found that the defendants in the potentially groundbreaking "Delta 5" case, who in September 2014 blockaded an oil train in Everett and this week argued they were compelled to act over the threat of climate change, were not guilty of obstruction.
The defendants were found to be guilty of trespass, but will not face claims of financial harm to Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railway company after being cleared of the obstruction charges. They will also not face jail time.
According to Tim DeChristopher, a Seattle-based climate activist and co-founder of Peaceful Uprising, the jury said they understood the defendants were trying to raise public awareness to critical issues.
One juror reportedly told them, "Thanks for the education."
As Common Dreams reported on Tuesday, the historic case marks the first time a U.S. judge has allowed the "necessity defense" to be argued in a trial over a climate action--but on Thursday, Snohomish County Judge Anthony Howard instructed the jury not to consider the argument, "undercutting" the defendants' ability to defend themselves, as DeChristopher said at the time.
Still, Howard said, "Frankly the court is convinced that the defendants are far from the problem and are part of the solution to the problem of climate change," though he added that he was "bound by legal precedent, no matter what my personal beliefs might be."
In the end, the jury appeared to understand the activists' goals. On Twitter, one witness to the trial described a "beautiful, emotional conversation with jurors, convicted only where they felt compelled to."
In fact, jurors and defendants reportedly hugged after the decision came in, with one of the activists, Jackie Minchew, telling the panel, "Welcome to the movement."
Follow the reactions on Twitter:
A jury in Washington state on Friday found that the defendants in the potentially groundbreaking "Delta 5" case, who in September 2014 blockaded an oil train in Everett and this week argued they were compelled to act over the threat of climate change, were not guilty of obstruction.
The defendants were found to be guilty of trespass, but will not face claims of financial harm to Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railway company after being cleared of the obstruction charges. They will also not face jail time.
According to Tim DeChristopher, a Seattle-based climate activist and co-founder of Peaceful Uprising, the jury said they understood the defendants were trying to raise public awareness to critical issues.
One juror reportedly told them, "Thanks for the education."
As Common Dreams reported on Tuesday, the historic case marks the first time a U.S. judge has allowed the "necessity defense" to be argued in a trial over a climate action--but on Thursday, Snohomish County Judge Anthony Howard instructed the jury not to consider the argument, "undercutting" the defendants' ability to defend themselves, as DeChristopher said at the time.
Still, Howard said, "Frankly the court is convinced that the defendants are far from the problem and are part of the solution to the problem of climate change," though he added that he was "bound by legal precedent, no matter what my personal beliefs might be."
In the end, the jury appeared to understand the activists' goals. On Twitter, one witness to the trial described a "beautiful, emotional conversation with jurors, convicted only where they felt compelled to."
In fact, jurors and defendants reportedly hugged after the decision came in, with one of the activists, Jackie Minchew, telling the panel, "Welcome to the movement."
Follow the reactions on Twitter: