Extinction Rebellion protesters have celebrated dropped charges against more than 100 climate activists on Wednesday, who were arrested during the action in October, under a police order that was later ruled to be unlawful.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said 105 cases were being discontinued against Extinction Rebellion (XR) supporters who were detained.
The environmental activists believed charges against as many as 1,000 people would eventually be halted. They cheered by saying ‘The Law Is on Our Side’.
More than 1,800 people were arrested during the XR Autumn Uprising protest, which saw locations around central London, City Airport and the Tube network targeted.
The Metropolitan Police said it was “disappointed” by the High Court judgment but decided not to appeal it following legal advice.
“We have previously stated public order legislation needs updating,” a spokesperson said.
Raj Chada, head of the legal firm’s protest team, said: “From the moment that the High Court ruled the Metropolitan Police’s ban was unlawful, this was an obvious consequence.
“The CPS have dithered and delayed before bowing to the inevitable and only caused more anxiety and expense to our clients. Anyone affected by this should contact us about potential action against the police,” he added.
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: “Following careful consideration and further legal advice, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has decided it will not appeal the judgment in relation to conditions imposed on Extinction Rebellion ‘Autumn Uprising’.
Tobias Garnett, a human rights lawyer in Extinction Rebellion’s legal strategy team, said: “Extinction Rebellion is glad to see that the Met police and the CPS have recognized the implications of our successful challenge earlier this month. It underlines the need for proper policing that doesn’t waste precious public resources.
