Monday 28 November 2022 06:14 PM Fury as eco zealot arrested more than 16 times launches GoFundMe to ask for ... trends now
An eco-zealot has sparked fury for using GoFundMe to pay court fines imposed for her illegal acts.
Gabriella Ditton, 28, who has been arrested more than 16 times, is using the crowdfunding platform to help pay her court fines and has so far raised more than £2,000.
The money will enable her to continue disrupting traffic and taking part in direct protest action.
A serial lawbreaker for Extinction Rebellion and Insulate Britain, she has already been fined hundreds of pounds by the courts.
But despite comparing herself to a suffragette and claiming she was prepared to go to prison, the spokesperson for Just Stop Oil has instead pleaded online for prospective donors to help her avoid jail.
Gabriella Ditton, 28, who has been arrested more than 16 times, is using the crowdfunding platform to help pay her court fines and has so far raised more than £2,000
A serial lawbreaker for Extinction Rebellion and Insulate Britain, she has already been fined hundreds of pounds by the courts
Her actions mirror those of Extinction Rebellion activist, Patrick Thelwell, 23, who launched a GoFundMe page to raise £10,000 for legal fees after he was arrested for throwing eggs at King Charles.
Thelwell managed to crowdsource £178 of his target after receiving donations from 18 people - before the page was taken dow
Now Miss Ditton has been blasted by campaigners who say crowdfunding to pay fines is ‘immoral’ and further alienates the public from the climate debate.
Cameron Smith, spokesman for the Conservative Environment Network (CEN), said: ‘Extinction Rebellion protests are deeply counter-productive. We have much more to do to halt climate change, but these protesters don't help the environment. They only disrupt people's lives, put the public off climate action and waste police resources.’
CEN is an independent forum which has more than 150 Conservative MPs and 500 councillors as members.
Mr Smith said: ‘If you are serious about protecting our planet, don't bail out protesters. Instead, ask your local MP to prioritise climate action and take steps in your own life to live as sustainably as possible.’
Howard Cox of Fair Fuel UK said: ‘It is more than immoral that those who flout the law pursue funding from others in order to carry out more illegal activities.
‘GoFundMe boast they are dedicated to trust and safety. They must demonstrate any funds raised through their website to break the law must be returned to the donor and the fundraiser banned for life.
‘In addition these types of fundraising by Extinction Rebellion and similar undemocratic organisations must be made illegal.’
Her actions mirror those of Extinction Rebellion activist, Patrick Thelwell, 23, who launched a GoFundMe page to raise £10,000 for legal fees after he was arrested for throwing eggs at King Charles
Miss Ditton said: ‘Research and history have shown time and time again,
