Babe actor James Cromwell jailed over New York power plant protest
Actor refused to pay a fine and now faces time in Orange County jail
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.James Cromwell has been sentenced to seven days in jail after refusing to pay a fine related to his role in a protest in New York.
The Emmy Award-winning actor, who appeared in Babe and L.A. Confidential, was sentenced to a week in Orange County Jail after refusing to pay the $375 fine.
Cromwell, who starred as Farmer Hoggett in the 1995 adaptation of Dick King Smith's book Babe, the Sheep-Pig, was one of six environmental protestors found guilty of obstructing traffic when they staged a sit-in on the site of Competitive Power Ventures’ prospective natural gas-fired power plant.
They were protesting over claims that carbon emissions from the CPV power plant would pose an imminent threat to the local environment and accelerate climate change.
Three of the six protestors paid their fine on time, but Variety reports that Cromwell refused and now face jail time.
Cromwell said: “If we don’t stay together, nothing will change. Power to the people.”
Following an appeal, the three defendants now have a new deadline of 14 July to pay the fine.
Cromwell is set to star in Fallen Kingdom, the sequel to 2015’s Jurassic World, alongside Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments