Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was arrested in October while protesting an oil and gas industry conference in London.
By Victoria Seabrook, climate reporter, Shamaan Freeman-Powell, news correspondent
Greta Thunberg has pleaded not guilty to a public order offence in a London court.
The environmental campaigner was arrested near the InterContinental Hotel in Mayfair on 17 October while protesting a major oil and gas industry conference, the Energy Intelligence Forum, under way inside.
A group of Greenpeace and Fossil Free London activists gathered outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday morning, chanting and holding banners reading “Oily Money Out” and “Make Polluters Pay.”
Appearing in court today, the Swedish activist was accused of breaching Section 14 of the Public Order Act 1986, namely failing to leave the highway and continue the protest on the pavement.
If found guilty, she could face a fine of up to £2,500.
Ms Thunberg appeared alongside four other activists, including three from Greenpeace, who were all charged with the same offence. They all pleaded not guilty.
The protesters were granted unconditional bail ahead of a trial at City of London Magistrates’ Court in February 2024.
When setting out the circumstances that led to the charge, prosecutor Luke Staton said the industry event brought together “various decision makers” from energy, finance and business in order to “discuss sustainable solutions,” which prompted an outburst of laughter from the packed out public gallery.
Ms Thunberg became the face of climate activism after she began staging weekly protests aged 15 in Sweden in 2018.
She now travels the world addressing crowds at marches and protests. On Sunday Ms Thunberg had the microphone snatched from her at a climate rally in Amsterdam after inviting a Palestinian woman and an Afghan woman on stage.
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
