Greta Thunberg and four other climate activists are due to appear in court today after being arrested at a protest outside a gathering of fossil fuel bosses in London last October.
The action was part of Oily Money Out – a series of disruptions against the carbon emissions, political influence and lobbying of the fossil fuel companies and banks attending the Energy Intelligence Forum by the group Fossil Free London.
The annual meeting of energy companies hosted executives of the biggest fossil fuel firms as well as politicians.
The Swedish climate activist was detained while demonstrating with hundreds of other protests outside the Energy Intelligence Forum, at the InterContinental London Park Lane Hotel in Mayfair.
They attempted to block the entrance of the hotel before they were escorted away by police.
After being released, Thunberg returned the next day to take part in a protest outside of the same hotel with hundreds of other people.
“Even though we are the ones standing here … climate, environmental and human rights activists all over the world are being prosecuted, sometimes convicted, and given legal penalties for acting in line with science,” Thunberg told reporters outside the court before the first day of the trial.
“We must remember who the real enemy is. What are we defending? Who are our laws meant to protect?”
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After appearing in court on Thursday, Thunberg joined Extinction Rebellion (XR) protesters in disrupting a panel at London’s Science Museum. They hung banners reading “2024, more droughts and floods – fuelled by Science Museum oil and gas sponsors”.
XR said on social media that the action was being taken against multinational conglomerate Adani’s sponsorship of the museum’s ‘Energy Revolution’ gallery which is due to open this spring. They say the company’s fossil fuel operations are add odds with the aims of the gallery.
Five activists including Thunberg were charged with failing to comply with a condition imposed under section 14 of the Public Order Act for allegedly failing to move when asked to by police.
The two activists from Greenpeace, two from Fossil Free London and Thunberg all pleaded not guilty at an initial hearing in November last year.
The trial is expected to take two days with the activists facing a maximum fine of up to £2,500 (€2,932).
Continue here: Euronews
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