Greta Thunberg arrested in London at protest supporting hunger strike for Palestine
Topics: Environment, UK News, Greta Thunberg, News, Israel
Joe Yates
Featured Image Credit: PA
Topics: Environment, UK News, Greta Thunberg, News, Israel
Greta Thunberg has been detained in London after showing up at a protest backing Palestine Action activists who are currently on hunger strike while behind bars.
The 22-year-old climate campaigner was arrested today (December 23), after joining a demonstration organised by Prisoners for Palestine outside the City of London offices of Aspen Insurance.
According to the group, the company was targeted due to its links with Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems.
Videos shared online show Thunberg standing among protesters, while holding a placard that read: "I support the Palestine Action prisoners. I oppose genocide."
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Things escalated when two other activists allegedly sprayed red paint across the front of the building, with police later arriving at the scene and making several arrests.
City of London Police confirmed what happened in a statement.
"At around 7am this morning, hammers and red paint were used to damage a building on Fenchurch Street," it said.
"A man and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. They glued themselves nearby and specialist officers are working to release them, and bring them into police custody.
"A little while later, a 22-year-old woman also attended the scene. She has been arrested for displaying an item (in this case a placard) in support of a proscribed organisation (in this case Palestine Action) contrary to Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000."
Thunberg has previously been outspoken about the imprisoned activists, who are being held on remand while awaiting trial for alleged offences including break-ins and criminal damage.
These incidents are said to have taken place before Palestine Action was officially banned under UK terrorism legislation.
Just a day before the protest, Thunberg shared a video on Instagram where she referred to the detainees as 'political prisoners'. In the clip, she called on the UK government to release them from custody and drop the charges altogether.
The demonstration comes amid rising concern over the health of those taking part in the hunger strike. Several prisoners have been hospitalised in recent days, including one individual who has reportedly gone 52 days without eating.
Since the hunger strike began on November 2, seven prisoners have been taken to hospital. Among them is 30-year-old Amu Gib, who was detained at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey - a county south of London.
Prisoners for Palestine have said Gib’s health has 'deteriorated rapidly' since joining the hunger strike, adding that the activist now needs to use a wheelchair. Gib was taken to hospital on Saturday.