I'm too terrified of jail to carry on, says eco-warrior (reality check for 'Face'of activism chic)

The Evening Standard (U.K.) ^ | October 15, 2008 | Benedict Moore-Bridger

[Stoat]

Tamsin Omond: Retiring from the 'frontline'

I'm too terrified of jail to carry on, says eco-warrior

Benedict Moore-Bridger
15.10.08

 

 

CAMBRIDGE graduate and "face" of the climate change campaign Tamsin Omond today revealed she was withdrawing from frontline action, admitting the thought of prison "terrifies" her.

The 23-year-old told the Standard that her first full night behind bars had given her a "reality check", and how her parents are now concerned for her future.

Ms Omond became one of the leading names in climate change campaigning after joining the so-called "Commons Five" who scaled Parliament in February to protest over plans for a third runway at Heathrow.

The rooftop stunt earned her a trial next month and bail conditions prevent her from entering Parliament.

Despite this, on Monday night she led 300 demonstrators as they charged the building to protest over the Government's climate change policy. But having been held in custody for 20 hours, the first-class honours degree graduate and granddaughter of baronet Sir Thomas Lees said she was withdrawing from direct action to concentrate on her studies and also plans to get a job.

At a hearing yesterday over breaching bail, Judge Mike Snow told her she would be "in grave peril" about being remanded in custody if arrested again before her trial. Ms Omond said that warning and her first night behind bars had been a sobering experience.

Speaking to the Standard hours after her release, she said: "I was prepared for it [prison] but the reality of it was terrifying. The judge made it pretty clear. I am definitely not doing anything or taking a role in front-line demonstrating.

"The thought of prison is big and scary. It is easy to sideline that in the excitement of the day but the reality of going to prison is very different. My parents are very supportive but are also really worried.

"It is something that people who take direct action have to confront. We need to be very courageous if we are to change society."

As for her future, Ms Omond said: "I saved enough money for a month but after I finish writing my dissertation I will have to get a job."

[Stoat]

A few reader comments from the Evening Standard:

Here's a sample of the latest views published. You can click view all to read all views that readers have sent in.

"The thought of prison is big and scary."

Prison is supposed to be scary!

That said, why did I get the impression she was merely not going to put herself at risk of prison. Sounded a little like she was still encouraging others to risk it though.

Another 'Great Leader' who will battle to the last drop of their (supporters) blood, so to speak. Ok to send them to prison to score her points. Thats the impression anyway.

If you consider yourself an activist and you want to exercise your absolute right to protest, then have the courage of your convictions. If you don't have the courage of your convictions, then maybe they need to be questioned.

- Rogan, Irving

You have to admire her stance, provided of course that she never, ever gets on a plane and go's anywhere by air travel for the rest of her life....

- Shelly, London

Tasmin, since you are here:
They really should start teaching science at cambridge. Anyone with an A' level in chemistry will tell you that carbon dioxide is NOT a pollutant. Its absolutely nescessary for ALL life on the planet, especially plants, flowers, trees etc - something which you greenies are supposed to like.
Basically you've been had - tricked into accepting nuclear power.
To quote another student of cambridge - laugh I nearly spat !!!
Grow up.

- The Engineer, Copenhagen, DK

 

[Stoat]

[itsthejourney]

Winter is around the corner and it’s getting too cold to sit in trees so she’s retiring. What a wuss.

An eco-nut who smokes?

[GovernmentShrinker]

Lemme guess. It was quite chilly in that jail cell, and the whole experience really shook her faith the global warming religion.

And about that photo . . . does she actually SMOKE? I mean, isn’t that, like, polluting the atmosphere with unnecessary smoke, and contributing to global warming?

[BossLady]

No worries...Tamsin....contact Bill Ayers...I’m sure he will hire you to indoctrinate school children after your dissertation is done..... ;)

[ducdriver]

Is she aware that plants had to suffer and die to make that cigarette?

[DieHard the Hunter]

Somebody ID her. She looks too young to smoke legally.

[Lurker]

granddaughter of baronet Sir Thomas Lees said she was withdrawing from direct action to concentrate on her studies and also plans to get a job.

Horror of horrors! She's going to get ......gasp.....a job!

L

[BenLurkin]

Man made global warming will soon be all debunked.

Why sit and rot in prison once your cause becomes defunct.

[TypeZoNegative]

Don’t like the time, don’t do the time. Most of us who don’t like what our government does, vote. And if your opinion isn’t heard, then too bad. You should have had better opinions. Either that, or a better standard bearer. Us freepers are going to learn the latter lesson the hard way.

[nascarnation]

Back in the 70s, when “earth day” started on campus,
it seemed that almost all those in attendance were smokers, at least from my casual observation.

I guess they were worried about cumulative lung damage and felt they needed pristine atmosphere to offset the inhaled tar.

[Question_Assumptions]

She should be thankful that she didn’t learn the really hard way like Lori Berenson.

[Stoat]

More on Tamsin Omond

Posh protesters How the anti-Heathrow Commons invaders included a Baronet's granddaughter and an MP's grandson Mail Online

 

Cambridge girl Tamsin Omond and Olivia Chessell were part of the five protesters who scaled the Palace of Westminster over the third runway at Heathrow

The members of "Plane Stupid", as they call themselves, may wear the protester "uniform" of woolly hats and camouflage-style jackets, but that's where the resemblance ends.

They are resolutely middle class: university educated, polite and include an MP's grandson, a baronet's granddaughter, a philosophy graduate and a well-spoken young lady who still lives with her parents in the well-heeled suburb of Dulwich.

********************************************************

Church Times - Ration your flights, airport protester tells churchgoers

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Peer's grandson among the new Greens News

 

Plane Stupid: Protesters Graham Thompson, Leo Murray, Richard George, Tamsin Omond and Olivia Chessell

[Slings and Arrows]

“The fear of the policeman is the beginning of wisdom.”
—Old French saying

[I know that we would say “G-d” instead of “the policeman,” but today Miss Omond seems very French.]

[manc]

loved the last line

she will get a job

the fruit cake should never take a car, plane, train or anything, I expect to see her living in the winter cold, living in the summer hot, oh wait this is England, it has got colder since queen Elizabeth reigned

eco warrior how about soap job dodger.

[manc]

YES they are plain stupid alright bunch of stuck up rich brats as for those girlie men they need a good kicking to bring them to reality not that I am advocating violence against the soap dodgers ARF wonder what car mummy and daddy drives

[manc]

YES they are plain stupid alright bunch of stuck up rich brats , from Cambridge too, must be nice to have money as for those girlie men they need a good kicking to bring them to reality not that I am advocating violence against the soap dodgers ARF wonder what car mummy and daddy drives she's giving it up because mummy and daddy might cut her money off for being a naughty girl and she wont be able to get those smokes she so much likes

[popdonnelly]

No kidding. That’s one of the reasons there are jails - to deter crime. Good to see the environmentalists are figuring that one out.

[Clintons Are White Trash]

It looks like she’s also afraid of an eyebrow waxing or tweezers....geez!!

[steelyourfaith]

 

Beam me to Planet Gore !