Greta Thunberg charged after protest in London
Greta Thunberg has been charged with a public order offence following an environmental protest in central London.
Ms Thunberg, 20, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on November 15 accused of failing to comply with a condition imposed under Section 14 of the Public Order Act.
The Swedish environmentalist, whose address was listed as Dorset, was arrested on Tuesday after protesters demonstrated outside the InterContinental Hotel on Park Lane where oil executives had assembled for the Energy Intelligence Forum.
She was among 26 people charged by Scotland Yard following the rally.
Five people were charged with obstructing the highway while others including Ms Thunberg were charged with a breach of the Public Order Act.
One woman arrested on suspicion of criminal damage has been bailed pending further enquiries.
Tuesday’s rally was organised by Fossil Free London to coincide with the start of a three-day meeting between energy leaders.
Industry leaders scheduled to speak at the event include the heads of Saudi Arabia’s Aramco and Norway’s Equinor as well as net zero minister Graham Stuart.
The protesters say that fossil fuel companies are deliberately slowing the global energy transition to renewables in order to make more profit, highlighting how this year’s UN climate conference president Sultan al Jaber is also the chief executive of oil company Abu Dhabi National Oil Co.
Before her arrest, Ms Thunberg addressed journalists outside the hotel, saying: “The world is drowning in fossil fuels. Our hopes and dreams and lives are being washed away by a flood of greenwashing and lies.
“It has been clear for decades that the fossil fuel industries were well aware of the consequences of their business models, and yet, they have done nothing.
“The opposite - they have actively delayed, distracted and denied the causes of the climate crisis and spread doubts about their own engagement in it.”
Last week, Ms Thunberg was ordered by a court in Malmo to pay a 2,250 kroner (£170) fine for disobeying police during a protest at an oil terminal in the city on July 24.
