Responding to the news that 22 people have been arrested in connection with a planned climate protest at Drax Power Station in North Yorkshire, co-executive director of Greenpeace UK Areeba Hamid said:

“These pre-emptive arrests are a worrying legacy of the previous government’s crusade to restrict peaceful protest. The protesters were not throwing bricks or in possession of offensive weapons – their only crime was to plan a peaceful protest camp against one of the UK’s worst polluters.

“The inspiring public response we’ve seen to racist rioting in the last few days is a powerful reminder of the vital role peaceful protest plays in our society. We must not give in to political attempts to demonise protestors, refugees and minority groups. We have the opportunity for a clean break and for this new government to change direction by rolling back some of the draconian laws and making space for all voices to be heard without a brick being thrown.”