Environmental activists convicted of trespassing for disrupting ‘Les Miserables’ performance in London

Five Just Stop Oil activists, aged 18-28, are found guilty of aggravated trespassing after interrupting a production of “Les Miserables” in London

Five environment activists with the group called Just Stop Oil, were found guilty of trespassing on Friday in a dramatic courtroom scene. The activists had interrupted a production of the popular musical ‘Les Miserables’ in London’s West End the previous year.

Three women and two men, all between the ages of 18 and 28, were the defendants who first gained notoriety in October when they daringly stormed the Sondheim Theatre stage, stopping the performers’ rendition of the famous protest song ‘Do You Hear The People Sing?’

To enhance the show, two protestors jumped onto the orchestra pit netting, while others used padlocks to secure themselves to the stage. The audience booed when the concert was halted due to the disturbance.

After a trial at the UK capital’s Westminster Magistrate’s Court, the five defendants were convicted guilty of aggravated trespass. They still have to wait for their sentence, which will be decided later, notwithstanding their claims of innocence.

The disruptive group, Just Stop Oil, is an activist organization that wants the UK government to stop exploring for additional oil and gas. The organization, which has threatened to continue protesting until its demands are satisfied, has organized demonstrations at several high-profile events this year, including the British Open golf tournament and the Wimbledon tennis tournament.

Source: AFP