Phoebe Plummer, a queer activist associated with the Just Stop Oil group, has been remanded to prison for six months following their participation in a slow march protest. Best known for throwing soup over Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” at the National Gallery, Plummer faced Judge McDonnell at Highbury Magistrates Court, where they were charged under the Public Order Act 2023 Section 7. This law pertains to actions that interfere with the operation of key national infrastructure.
Continued Protests and Judicial Response
During the court proceedings, Judge McDonnell inquired if Plummer would persist in their protest activities if released. Plummer affirmed their intention to continue protesting against new licensing for oil, gas, and coal, leading to the judge’s decision to remand them for the maximum term of six months. Plummer’s impassioned statement in court highlighted the urgency of their environmental concerns, questioning the prioritization of imprisoning activists over investigating what they perceive as the real environmental criminals.
The Backlash and Homophobic Abuse
Plummer’s activism, particularly the high-profile soup-throwing incident, has drawn significant attention and, unfortunately, a wave of anti-LGBTQ+ abuse, especially from social media and right-wing press outlets. Fellow protester Anna Holland commented on the intensity of the homophobic backlash they received following their actions, noting that the focus on their queerness was a tactic to ridicule their individual identities, their protest action, and by extension, the Just Stop Oil movement.
Upcoming Court Appearance and Activist’s Stance
Plummer is scheduled to appear in Southwark Crown Court on 30 November to enter their plea. This incarceration of Just Stop Oil supporters, including Plummer, spotlights the ongoing tensions between environmental activism and legal repercussions, especially in the context of escalating global environmental crises. The activists’ commitment to their cause, despite facing prison time and societal backlash, underscores the depth of their conviction in their environmental and social justice endeavors.