PROTESTORS marched through the streets of Salisbury earlier this week to raise public awareness of “anti-democratic court systems” and the actions of oil company Rockhopper Exploration.
The demonstration began on Wednesday, May 18, in the Market Place, where Extinction Rebellion (XR) Bath Samba performed a drum sequence.
Di Cross, of Extinction Rebellion Salisbury, and Nick Dearden, director of Global Justice Now, rallied the crowd and briefed them on why they were there.
Nick said: "We're here to protest against not just Rockhopper but the system that puts fossil fuel interests above public interests."
Activists claim that Rockhopper bought a $30 million license to drill oil off the Adriatic Coast in 2014 which they knew would be controversial as there were ongoing protests against it.
Eventually the Italian government banned oil exploration off the Adriatic Coast, "a wonderful victory for people power", but Rockhopper is now suing for $275 million, "which they will use to explore coasts off the Falkland Islands".
Lorna Wilson, one of the protestors, is concerned that the message is being overshadowed by the cost of living crisis.
She said: "A lot of people think of environmental issues as window dressing to important issues; it's not, it's absolutely vital. No planet no life.
"I know that people wouldn't want to think that they're leaving a legacy in which their children will die in poverty and pain."
XR Bath Samba led the march down Castle Street to Rockhopper's registered offices as protestors waved their flags high and handed out information leaflets to passers-by.
One protestor from XR Bath held a flag reading 'Rockhopper Climate Criminal'.
He said: "It's massively corrupt and they're stitching us all over."
Roads remained open and cars queued up behind the protestors but there were no police present during the march.
The group, of around 40, surrounded the office entrance as Di posted a letter to Sam Moody, CEO of Rockhopper Explorating, telling him to "stop using the energy charter treaty to sue governments".
But it wasn't the first letter they have sent, Di added: "We sent him a letter last year, which he has ignored, so we've reattached last year's letter saying we're disappointed and that he needs to step up now."
Public response to the protest was mostly positive, many had no idea Rockhopper was situated in Salisbury.
Wayne Mortimer, a member of the public, shared his initial reaction to the message being spread.
He said: "It's really woken me up a little more because I never knew anything about this happening on my doorstep.
"It's just another nail in the coffin for the planet at the end of the day and it just shouldn't be happening. But how do you stop it?"
A spokesperson from Rockhopper Exploration plc said: "Rockhopper has never commented on the arbitration and will not do so while it remains an ongoing legal process."
Global Justice Now has announced that tomorrow, May 21, is a day of action against corporate courts, and protests will be taking place across the country.
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