Greta Thunberg Denies Public Order Offense in High-Profile Court Appearance
Climate activist Greta Thunberg pleads not guilty to public order offense after being arrested at London protest. Trial set for February 1 will highlight her ongoing efforts to combat climate change.
Climate activist Greta Thunberg has appeared in court to deny a public order offense after being arrested at a protest in central London. The 20-year-old Swedish national was detained during a demonstration near the InterContinental Hotel in Mayfair on October 17. Thunberg pleaded not guilty at Westminster Magistrates' Court to breaching Section 14 of the Public Order Act 1986. Four other activists also pleaded not guilty alongside her, and they were granted unconditional bail ahead of a trial at City of London Magistrates' Court set for February 1.
NEW: Greta Thunberg denies public order offence after London arrest
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Thunberg's appearance in court drew a large crowd of photographers and video journalists, who surrounded her as she left. Outside of the court, Greenpeace and Fossil Free London protesters held banners and chanted slogans demanding that polluters pay. The protest was in response to the Energy Intelligence Forum, where oil executives from Shell and Total were set to speak. Demonstrators blocked Hamilton Place, near Park Lane, to prevent serious disruption to the community, hotel, and guests.
The Metropolitan Police had imposed conditions on the protest under the Public Order Act, but several protesters failed to move from the road to the pavement as requested, resulting in multiple arrests. Thunberg's trial will shed light on her continued efforts to hold those responsible for climate change accountable. Despite criticism and controversy, she remains a prominent figure in the fight against climate change and has inspired a global movement through her School Strike for Climate initiative.
