Support GP appeal his prison sentence for caring about the climate
Support GP appeal his prison sentence for caring about the climate
Latest: Feb. 12, 2025
Strong Solidarity with Dr Pat Hart
Thank you so much- what an amazing show of solidarity with Pat. Each donation and comment we have saved for him to read when he finally gets to leave prison.
You, his supporters have raised just over …
Read moreWHO IS CAUSING THE MOST HARM, a Doctor or Exxon Mobil?
In Chelmsford Crown Court on 7th January 2025 Dr Pat Hart, a GP from Bristol, was handed an extraordinary sentence by Judge Mills. Those in the public gallery were shocked to hear him being given a 12 month prison sentence. Pat is the first working GP in the UK to be sent to prison for climate activism. This sentence also risks him losing his licence to practice as a medical doctor. Pat has been a respected doctor for 15 years.
Pat’s offence was disabling some fuel pumps at an Esso Service station during a Just Stop Oil Protest. Just Stop Oil are calling on the government to stop issuing licences for new fossil fuel extraction. Esso’s parent company, ExxonMobil, has known about the devastating impacts of climate change on health on the planet since the 1970s, even based on their own research! Yet they have been casting doubt on climate science and lobbying against regulations which would limit their activities and profits for decades.
‘I WILL NOT GIVE UP ON CARING’
What is the role of a doctor when unjust laws protect the profits of a few over the health of billions? When asked in court if he had any comments, Pat told the judge,
“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.”
The Climate Crisis = Health Crisis.
PAT - PART OF MEDICAL ACTIVISM HISTORY
Dr. Pat Hart joins a long line of doctors, who over centuries have been called to activism when the health of the population is at risk, often at great personal cost. The impacts of these 'agents of change' have often significantly improved the health of the population in the absence of political leadership.
Medical journals have like medical activists repeatedly called on politicians to advocate for policy which protects the environment and therefore the health of our patients. Such actions demonstrate a care for life and not a risk to patients to patients, past or future.
A COST TOO HIGH?
We, Pat’s friends, medical colleagues and the UN believe Pat’s sentence is draconian. The new Police, Crime Sentencing and Courts (Policing) Act 2022 and Public Order Act 2023 have drastically lowered the threshold at which the police can restrict the right to protest. More healthcare professionals taking peaceful action to protect life, in line with their duty of care, may now face long prison sentences, like Pat's.
We must resist this! The health voice in needed. Will you join us in appealing Pat's sentence?
SUPPORTING PAT'S APPEAL
The appeal falls within 2 stages. First, Pat needs to receive advice regarding his grounds to appeal and apply for Leave to Appeal. As time is of the essence with appeals, CASP have agreed to make an advance payment of the estimated legal costs of £6500 for stage 1, in the belief that many other will want to support Pat’s appeal. This fundraiser is to reimburse CASP. We hope that you will join us.
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I'll share on FacebookFriends and Colleagues of Dr. Pat Hart
Feb. 12, 2025
Strong Solidarity with Dr Pat Hart
Thank you so much- what an amazing show of solidarity with Pat. Each donation and comment we have saved for him to read when he finally gets to leave prison.
You, his supporters have raised just over the target of £6500 in under 2 weeks! It feels like citizen solidarity is more important than ever as we bare witness to the changes on the international political stage.
Where are things up to? Pat’s legal team have had a meeting with him and have gathered all the relevant information and documents. They are now reviewing it all to see if there are good grounds for an appeal. Further meetings of the lawyers with Pat are being arranged for later this week.
Although the initial deadline has passed, the legal team will be able to lodge an ‘out of time application for permission to appeal’. To qualify for the ‘out of time’ bit, they will explain that they have only just taken on Pat’s case, and being in prison makes it more tricky to liaise with him. In spite of this they are working on the case as fast as possible. They are aiming to lodge the application by the end of February.
We are going to close this appeal for now, as we have raised our target, which enables this part of the legal work to happen.
Warm wishes, on the behalf of the team supporting Dr. Pat Hart x
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