Greta Thunberg arrested in London after joining eco-mob in disrupting energy conference
Greta Thunberg was arrested in London this morning
REUTERS
Greta Thunberg was arrested this morning after taking part in a Fossil Free London protest in the capital.
The 20-year-old was detained by police officers after taking part in the demonstration outside an Energy Intelligence Forum conference.
Eco activists attempted to block access to the three day conference at the InterContinental Hotel on Park Lane.
Met Police said they arrested the activists after they refused to move.
A spokesperson said: “We have had continued discussions with the protesters and there have been interventions by officers to enable members of the public safe access in and out of the venue. Six people were arrested for obstruction of the highway.
“Officers on scene have kept this under constant review and at 12.32pm imposed conditions on the group under section 14 of the Public Order Act given to prevent serious disruption to the community, hotel and guests.
“Officers asked the protesters to move from the road onto the pavement, which would enable them to continue with their demonstration without breaching the conditions.
“A number of protesters failed to do so and we have now made a further 14 arrests for section 14 of the public order act and a further one for criminal damage. Officers remain on scene.”
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Two police officers escorted Greta Thunberg to a police van
REUTERS
She was part of a group blocking entrance to the conference according to police
REUTERS
The climate activist has been repeatedly arrested by police forces throughout Europe this year, with officers in Sweden, Norway and Germany all having detained the notorious protester.
Addressing journalists outside the hotel prior to being detained this morning, Thunberg said: “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.”
Thunberg was joined at the protest by activists from Greenpeace, who abseiled down from the roof of the hotel to unfurl a banner reading “make big oil pay”.
The Energy Intelligence Forum included speakers from a range of energy voices, including the chief executives of Saudi Arabia's Aramco and Norway's Equinor, the German ambassador to the UK and Graham Stuart, UK energy security and net zero minister.
Thunberg was wearing a badge with the slogan 'Oily Money Out' when she was detained by police.
She walked calmly as two officers escorted her to a nearby police van, with one holding her arm.