Peaceful demonstration in Wales brings positive outcomes without inflicting discomfort on bystanders.

In response to George Monbiot's article regarding the jailing of four activists from Just Stop Oil (a substantial sentence for a Zoom call, along with arrests for holding signs outside), I concur that peaceful protests can influence public opinion and bring about change, but not when it leads to distress for innocent people, as observed during the M25 protest.

In May 2011, I led a significant peaceful demonstration against proposed windfarm projects in mid-Wales outside of Senedd Cymru. Initially, local communities initiated separate groups, but it became evident that we needed a unified force to counteract these imposed developments – as a result, 25 protest organizations merged into one group.

Around 1,900 individuals from varied ages and political backgrounds gathered at precisely one o'clock for our demonstration. Coaches were strategically positioned along the A470 without disrupting Cardiff residents, and no inconvenience was caused to them. The protest garnered considerable media attention and recognition by Cardiff's chief constable regarding everyone's conduct, with no litter left behind.

This led Powys County Council to hold a debate on the windfarm proposals at the Welshpool livestock market, attended by thousands of interested parties. Following 15 months of contesting in the public inquiry process, we secured an important victory, except for one rejected application. However, the proposed route to transmit power from the windfarms to the grid was also denied.