Insulate Britain protestor from Weymouth stages 24-hour fast outside Downing Street
It's on day 14 of Emma Smart's hunger strike
Last updated 30th Nov 2021
Andy Smith from Weymouth and a group of supporters are holding a 24-hour fast outside number 10 Downing Street today.
It is in solidarity of his wife Emma Smart's hunger strike which she is carrying out in HMP Bronzefield.
The 44 year-old was jailed, along with eight others, for blocking part of the M25 after being issued an injunction.
Andy Smith spoke to Greatest Hits Radio about the 24-hour fast today.
"It is to remind Boris and the government that they still haven't made a meaningful statement about insulating the homes of Britain. They seemingly would rather imprison climate protestors than save the lives of 8,500 people living in fuel poverty, so we are just down here to remind them that we are not going away just yet.
"It's obviously horrendous, I feel helpless, I have very little communication with her, I fully support her, it is engrained in who she is. She has spent her whole adult life protecting the environment and to be silenced in such a brutal act by our Government."
Today marks two weeks since Emma started the hunger strike and on Friday she was moved to a hospital wing at the prison.
Andy says she is a bit weak due to the nature of what she is doing but she is in good spirits.
"She is determined to carry on. Emma and the people in prison are going to be the first of a long line of people to be put in prison as the Government wants to silence anyone speaking up about climate crisis at the moment. There is an injustice going on here, the Government would rather imprison people than reduce carbon emissions.
"No there are no regrets and I think a hunger strike is testament to that, she is going to protest anyway she can. There's no regrets there and I am absolutely going to stand behind her and back her in anyway that I can."