Swedish activist was detained in London during a demonstration in support of the Palestine Action movement, classified as a terrorist organization by the British government. She held a sign against the arrest of members of the group.
British police arrested Swedish activist Greta Thunberg on Tuesday during a pro-Palestinian protest in London, according to UK-based campaign group Defend Our Juries.
The group said Thunberg was detained under the country’s Anti-Terrorism Act after holding a sign declaring support for prisoners linked to Palestine Action, an organization the British government classified as terrorist in July – a move that at the time drew criticism from organizations focused on freedom of expression.
Why was Greta Thunberg arrested?
A City of London Police spokesman said two people had previously been arrested for throwing red paint at a building.
“A short time later, a 22-year-old woman also arrived at the scene,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “She was arrested for displaying an item [um cartaz] in support of a proscribed organization [a Palestine Action]in violation of Section 13 of the Anti-Terrorism Act 2000.”
The Palestinian activist group Prisoners for Palestine said Thunberg was holding a sign reading: “I support Palestine Action prisoners. I oppose genocide.”
Thunberg has previously spoken out about jailed inmates going on hunger strike while awaiting trial after showing support for Palestine Action.
In September, another demonstration in favor of the same group led to the arrest of 900 people in London.
Defend Our Juries, a group that defends the right of jurors to decide according to their convictions, stated that Tuesday’s protest targeted a building used by an insurance company. According to the NGO, the company provides services to the British arm of Israeli defense manufacturer Elbit Systems.
The group has in particular supported the actions of the climate movements Just Stop Oil and Insulate Britain, as well as protests against the ban of Palestine Action in the UK.
Greta Thunberg was detained after displaying a sign that said “”I support Palestine Action prisoners. I oppose genocide.” | Prisoners for Palestine/Reuters
Why is the Palestine Action group banned?
Palestine Action was designated a terrorist group by the British government in early July after activists stormed an air base and spray-painted Royal Air Force aircraft.
The group vandalized two Airbus A330 MRTT refueling aircraft, spraying red paint on their engines and causing damage that the government said went beyond protest boundaries and posed a serious risk to national security.
Designation as a terrorist organization makes it a crime to support the group, display its symbols or express public support for it.
The decision was controversial and challenged by civil liberties groups, who argue that the group’s actions constitute criminal harm, not terrorism.
In February 2024, Thunberg was acquitted by a London court for refusing to obey a police order to leave a protest blocking the entrance to a major oil and gas industry conference.
She has been repeatedly fined in Sweden and the United Kingdom for civil disobedience in connection with protests.
Originally published by DW on 12/23/2025
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2025/12/23/greta-e-presa-no-reino-unido-com-base-em-lei-antiterrorismo/
