by Mollie Somerville
For many years, since the late 1960s, when I spent 2 years in Ethiopia, I was concerned about the inequality between the rich and poor worlds. I have been a supporter of CAFOD and Christian Aid ever since and a member of Global Justice Now (previously known as World Development Movement). I was an active member of the Leeds and Bradford Justice and Peace Commission and took the “Option for the Poor” to heart.
Since then, I’ve lobbied Parliament, been on marches and demonstrations, written letters and emails and changed my lifestyle especially since reading and reflecting on “Laudato Si”. As Global Warming became the Climate crisis and then Climate breakdown I realised that government leaders and powerful multinational companies, particularly the fossil fuel industry, were ignoring the science and not listening to the thousands of people telling them of the existential crisis.
I saw it as my Christian duty to take more radical action as I had the time, health and opportunity to do so. I was angry at the deafness of the people in power, fearful for the future of people, particularly in the global south, and sad for my children and grandchildren who will have to live through devastating changes to the planet.
Since the first action I’ve been involved in two “Slow Marches” in London and also a “Lock on” at Gatwick airport in July 2024. Court cases are ongoing for most of these. The purpose is to get as much publicity as possible so people in power feel the pressure and begin to take climate breakdown seriously. Thousands of people at a demo get little coverage; 7 people sitting in an airport departure lounge get TV and media time and the issues discussed.
Soon after the Gatwick incident I was asked if I was willing to do a cultural action. It turned out to be throwing soup at two paintings by Van Gogh in the National Gallery. It was regarded as “high risk”, that is, likely to end in a custodial sentence of perhaps 2 years. After prayer, discussion and meditation I agreed. The action was designed to imitate action taken 2 years previously by two young activists who were due for sentencing. Three of us targeted 2 paintings within an hour of their sentence being announced. We demanded an international Non-proliferation Treaty on fossil fuels.
There were gasps of shock from the crowd in the gallery as they realised what was happening. They were ushered out as we made short speeches explaining why we were there. The incident was filmed from the start and stewards/security people quickly ushered the spectators away. 16 Police came to arrest us as we sat quietly on the floor and within 15 or 20 minutes the pictures (paintings undamaged) were taken off the wall and put on trolleys. Arrests were made, two nights in police cells followed with a session at a Magistrates court to set a trial date at Crown Court in January 2026.
As for previous actions the publicity was far reaching. Will it change anything? We can only hope and pray.
I feel as if I’ve been on a journey to a foreign country where I don’t know the language or culture (police, courts). It’s frightening and exciting and the worst is still to come. There’s camaraderie and solidarity and all sorts of unforeseen ramifications. Because my DBS status has changed (having a conviction for slow marching) I’m not stewarding at Mass anymore, for example. I can’t open a new bank account for our local women’s allotment group because of a conviction. As I’m in my late 70s now these are more inconveniences and I admire the young people who are taking action and whose future work and study prospects lie in tatters.
In 1914 a suffragette slashed a painting by Valesquez 7 times with a meat cleaver in the same gallery in order to get votes for women. Two slightly damaged picture frames to save humanity and the planet seems worth it.
We all have the power of prayer and after that each individual can do whatever is in their power. It may be to give money to charities, to take radical action, to change lifestyle. Be aware and not give in to pessimism and inaction. Hope!