Credited from: ALJAZEERA
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was arrested by UK police on December 23 during a pro-Palestinian protest in London, organized by the group Prisoners for Palestine. Thunberg was detained for displaying a placard that stated, "I support the Palestine Action prisoners. I oppose genocide," leading to her arrest under the Terrorism Act for supporting a proscribed organization, Palestine Action, which the UK government designated as a terrorist group in July 2023 according to Middle East Eye and Reuters.
The protest was aimed at drawing attention to the condition of six Palestine Action hunger strikers in British prisons, some of whom have been on hunger strike for more than 50 days. Activists expressed solidarity with these detainees, whose actions have spurred increased public discourse on the UK government's policies regarding pro-Palestinian activism, as highlighted by multiple sources including South China Morning Post and Le Monde.
The City of London Police confirmed that Thunberg was among several people arrested, with other demonstrators also detained for vandalizing a building used by an insurance firm linked to an Israeli defense contractor. This action was part of the protest against companies perceived as complicit in the ongoing conflict, citing statements from protest organizers and police reports documented by Al Jazeera and BBC.
Thunberg's arrest has ignited widespread criticism from various activists and political figures, including Zarah Sultana and Francesca Albanese, who condemned the UK government for its heavy-handed approach to protests concerning human rights. The British government's ongoing arrests related to Palestine Action have drawn significant opposition, as articulated by several sources including Reuters and Anadolu Agency.
Following her brief detention, Thunberg was released on bail, with some activists remaining detained as they face charges related to vandalism during the protest. Her involvement has reaffirmed her commitment to environmental and social justice issues, ensuring her presence in international discussions on human rights, as seen in reports by Anadolu Agency and India Times.