Greta Thunberg Arrested at London Protest Supporting Palestine Action Hunger Strikers

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was arrested in central London on Tuesday during a demonstration supporting members of the banned group Palestine Action who are on hunger strike. Thunberg, 22, was detained outside the offices of Aspen Insurance, where she held a sign reading, "I support the Palestine Action prisoners. I oppose genocide."

The protest, organized by the group Prisoners for Palestine, targeted Aspen Insurance due to its alleged services to Elbit Systems UK, a subsidiary of Israeli defense contractor Elbit Systems.

Earlier in the day, two activists sprayed red paint on the building's facade and glued themselves to the structure. A City of London Police spokesperson stated: "At around 7am this morning hammers and red paint were used to damage a building on Fenchurch Street. 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."

Thunberg was arrested later for displaying a placard supporting a proscribed organization, in violation of Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

Palestine Action was designated a terrorist organization by the UK government earlier this year. Eight of its members are currently on hunger strike while awaiting trial for alleged offenses related to previous protests. The first two participants have been on hunger strike for 52 days and are at a critical stage for their health.

The UK government has stated that decisions regarding bail and detention are matters for the courts to decide.

Thunberg has previously faced legal consequences for civil disobedience in both Sweden and the UK. In February 2024, she was acquitted by a London court of refusing to follow a police order during a protest blocking the entrance to an oil and gas industry conference.