London – Greta Thunberg, a renowned climate activist, was arrested by the police in London on Tuesday during a protest in the financial district of the city.
The arrest occurred when she stood in solidarity with pro-Palestinian hunger strikers who have been detained for many weeks.
Thunberg is 22 and has emerged as a leading figure in the Palestinian cause, and her arrest is the most high-profile arrest since the government of Britain recently outlawed the activist organization Palestine Action under anti-terror statutes.
According to police, the arrest was premised on Section 13 of the Terrorism Act. They observed that a woman was arrested because of carrying a placard in favor of a banned group.
Thunberg was also pictured holding a sign that said she was in support of the so-called political prisoners and against the current conflict.
The demonstration was against an insurance company associated with a military defence company, expressing the profound interest of many young activists in the support of the international armed forces and their costs.
The hunger strikers’ situation has gotten even worse, with organizers reporting that some have been on their 52nd day without food.
This arrest was against this backdrop of desperation, where she had to raise awareness about their health and legal treatment.
Although there are reports of people involved in the protest damaging buildings, the charges brought against Thunberg are connected to her publicly voicing her support of a group that the government now considers illegal.
Since the group was banned, more than 2,300 individuals have been arrested during different demonstrations in the country.
Her arrest shows the increasing conflict between governmental security and the freedom of demonstration.
The international community is still monitoring how the UK is balancing its anti-terror law against basic liberties as hunger striker trials are looming.
