This month’s newsletter brings together key updates from courtrooms, climate movements, and global struggles for justice.
From a landmark clean air victory in Bulgaria to legal challenges against the criminalisation of protest and climate inaction, people across the world continue to resist and organise.
We’re also sharing solidarity actions, crowdfunding efforts, and resources worth exploring.

NB: We know this is only a small selection, if you have any news, solidarity call out or resource you want us to include in the next bulletin – don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected] 

NEWS & COURT CASES

Bulgaria

In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Administrative Court in Bulgaria has ruled in favour of public health, revoking the permit of the Balkans’ biggest coal power plant to pollute illegally. 

This ruling marks a turning point in the fight for the right to clean air and a healthy environment in Bulgaria and beyond. 

Read more

Sweden

46 climate activists from  Sweden, Norway and Germany  are suing the Swedish state arguing that police and the justice system are violating their right to protest. Sweden has been criticised by Human Rights groups, with the Civil Rights Defenders describing a development where demonstrations are criminalized and protestors are meeting ever harsher charges which affect the willingness and ability for people to exercise their constitutional rights. Read more here: (In Swedish)

USA:

Eva Lighthouse, a 20-year-old activist, is taking legal action against Trump and his administration. She says that they have violated her rights by using executive orders to make the climate crisis worse. Read more

International

The UN has voted to back a world court opinion that countries have a legal obligation to address climate change. 141 countries voted for this, while 8 voted against. 28 countries did not vote. Read more

SOLIDARITY AND CROWDFUNDING 

• Five activists have been in pre-trial detention in Germany since September. They are accused of causing damage to a facility linked to Elbit Systems in Ulm. On 22 May, the Stuttgart Regional Court continued the trial under conditions that violate human rights and interrupt the defendants while they are reading their statements. The trial will resume tomorrow – 29 May. What can you do? You can share and amplify information, attend the trial in Stuttgart, or write them a letter! Read more & spread the word!

RESOURCES & EVENTS

• How legal bullying works — and how to protect yourself | Laura Prather  Watch the TEDTalk video here

About Legally Green

Since autumn of 2022, the Movement Hub coordinates Legally Green – an informal network of lawyers who support activists across Europe and activist-led legal support groups. The network has over 100 members from over 60 organizations in more than 20 countries in Europe.

The network operates via mailing list and meets bi-monthly to share experience, discuss cases, trends, get help, learn from each other to increase our collective capacities to resist legal repressions. Contact [email protected] if you have any questions, or wish to join the network.