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image captionThe seven women were photographed outside Milton Keynes Magistrates Court
Campaigners accused of trespassing while trying to save an oak tree have had all charges against them dropped.
The group, who dubbed themselves the 7 Sisters , were accused of stopping work in June 2020 at Poor s Piece in Steeple Claydon, Buckinghamshire.
The tree was later felled on 23 September last year to make way for the HS2 high speed rail route.
A judge said the prosecution had failed to provide evidence after almost a year and dismissed all charges against them.
The protesters had claimed the 200-year-old oak tree was home to species including bats and red kites.
14 vegan activists charged following McDonald’s protests >More in
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Fourteen vegan activists have been charged with various offences following a blockade at a McDonald’s distribution centre last weekend.
The charges relate to protests on Saturday 22 May in Basingstoke, Hampshire and Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.
Animal Rebellion used trucks and bamboo structures to prevent access at four depots. No charges have been made in connection with protests in Coventry, and Heywood in Greater Manchester.
The animal rights group targeted the fast-food company demanding that it switch to a fully plant-based menu in all its restaurants by 2025 to tackle climate change and ease animal welfare.