Greta Thunberg was detained as demonstrators obstructed a London hotel where a meeting of oil magnates was underway.
Photos and footage showed the environmental advocate being escorted by officers before being placed in a police vehicle. As she gazed from the van, onlookers chanted their appreciation, with Greta acknowledging them with a smile.
BREAKING: @GretaThunberg has just been arrested. @fossilfreeLDN climate activists are blocking a London hotel where oil executives are holding a meeting. The protesters have attempted to block access to the InterContinental Hotel on Park Lane #London
Five people have been… pic.twitter.com/K9QtuDAiU1
— Share_Talk ™ (@Share_Talk) October 17, 2023
The demonstration, orchestrated by Fossil Free London, saw activists blocking the entry to the InterContinental Hotel on Park Lane, occupying the sidewalk by the main door. Additionally, a banner was displayed on the building’s facade.
The annual Energy Intelligence Forum at the hotel featured prominent figures such as the CEOs of Saudi Arabia’s Aramco and Norway’s Equinor, as well as Net Zero Minister Graham Stuart.
BREAKING: Greta Thunberg has been arrested blocking the entrance to the Oil and Money conference.
Hours after delivering a speech about the pollution of our politics by oily money.
It's up to us to stand up for us.
It's up to us to save us. #OilyMoneyOut pic.twitter.com/kgY2HoWXPO
— Fossil Free London (@fossilfreeLDN) October 17, 2023
According to the Metropolitan Police, five individuals have been taken into custody on allegations of roadway obstruction.
The demonstrators argue that fossil fuel corporations are intentionally delaying the shift to renewable energies to maximize their profits. They emphasize the dual role of this year’s UN climate conference head, Sultan al Jaber, who is also at the helm of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Co.
Earlier, outside the venue, Thunberg told reporters, “We’re overwhelmed by fossil fuels. Our aspirations and existence are being eroded by deceptive green narratives and falsehoods. For years, it’s been evident that these industries understood the repercussions of their actions, yet they remained inactive.”
