Greta Thunberg has been taken into custody in London after participating in a protest supporting Palestine Action activists who are on a hunger strike while incarcerated.
The 22-year-old climate activist was arrested on December 23 after taking part in a demonstration organized by Prisoners for Palestine, held outside the City of London offices of Aspen Insurance.
The protest targeted Aspen Insurance due to its reported connections to the Israeli defense company, Elbit Systems.
Videos circulating online depict Thunberg among the demonstrators, holding a sign that says: “I support the Palestine Action prisoners. I oppose genocide.”
The situation intensified when two other protestors allegedly sprayed red paint on the building’s facade, prompting the arrival of police who subsequently made several arrests.
The City of London Police issued a statement regarding the incident.
“At around 7 am this morning, hammers and red paint were used to damage a building on Fenchurch Street,” the statement read.
“A man and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. They glued themselves nearby, and specialist officers are working to release them and bring them into police custody.
“A little while later, a 22-year-old woman also attended the scene. She has been arrested for displaying an item (in this case a placard) in support of a proscribed organization (in this case Palestine Action) contrary to Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000.”
Thunberg has been vocal about the activists in prison, who await trial on charges that include break-ins and criminal damage.
These alleged actions occurred prior to Palestine Action being officially designated as a banned organization under UK terrorism laws.
Just prior to the protest, Thunberg posted a video on Instagram calling the detainees ‘political prisoners’. In her message, she urged the UK government to free them and drop all charges.
Concerns are growing over the health of those involved in the hunger strike, with several requiring hospital treatment recently. One prisoner has reportedly not eaten for 52 days.
The hunger strike commenced on November 2, and since then, seven detainees have been hospitalized. Among these is 30-year-old Amu Gib, who was held at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey.
According to Prisoners for Palestine, Gib’s health has ‘deteriorated rapidly’ since joining the hunger strike, now needing a wheelchair. Gib was hospitalized on Saturday.