Green MP Caroline Lucas sang "We shall not be moved" in a sit-down protest against fracking before she was arrested, a court heard today.
She and four other activists deny public order offences and obstructing the highway during the demonstration in the village of Balcombe, West Sussex, last August.
Brighton magistrates heard how Lucas, 53, was at the heart of the protest outside the gates of the drilling site run by Cuadrilla. Film played to the court showed her being warned by officers and shown a copy of the police order.
Prosecutor Jonathan Edwards said the protesters blocked the B2036: “Demonstrators chose to sit down in the entrance to the drilling site blocking access to it, some had linked arms and others locked on to the gates. Copies of the order were distributed asking them to move. Those who refused were arrested.”
Ms Lucas told police she had seen the order and “understood the gist but didn’t move because she wanted to show solidarity with the demonstrators present,” said Mr Edwards.
Giles York, temporary chief constable of Sussex, said more than 300 protesters were involved.
The case continues.
