Greta Thunberg arrested at UK protest supporting Palestine Action hunger strikers

Swedish activist detained in central London after protesters glue themselves to pavement outside insurance firm office

Climate activist Greta Thunberg being detained by City of London Police officers during a protest in support of the Palestine Action protesters on hunger strike in prison. PA

Climate activist Greta Thunberg has been arrested in central London at a demonstration in support of Palestine Action protesters on hunger strike in prison.

In a video shared by Prisoners for Palestine, Ms Thunberg, 22, can be seen holding a sign reading “I support the Palestine Action prisoners. I oppose genocide” at a demonstration by the protest group outside the central London offices of Aspen Insurance.

The group claim they targeted the company on Tuesday morning because it provides services to Israeli-linked defence firm Elbit Systems.

Two activists sprayed red paint over the front of the building before police arrived and made arrests.

A City of London Police representative said: “At around 7am this morning hammers and red paint were used to damage a building on Fenchurch Street.

Greta Thunberg sitting on the ground outside the offices of Aspen Insurance on Fenchurch Street, London. PA

“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 organisation (in this case Palestine Action) contrary to Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000.”

The hunger strikers are demanding immediate bail, an end to the UK's hosting of weapons factories supplying arms to Israel and an end to what they say is the mistreatment of prisoners in custody.

They also demand the removal of the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation.

It comes as the Palestine Action hunger strikers have taken the first step in beginning legal action against the government. A legal firm representing the hunger strikers submitted a pre-action letter on Monday against the Justice Secretary David Lammy.

It outlines the group’s intention to initiate legal action, as several imprisoned Palestine Action activists, including one who has refused to eat for 51 days, have been taken to hospital in recent days.

The hunger strikers say they have sent letters to Mr Lammy, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, but have received no response. They also say the government is abandoning its own policies in the prison safety policy framework.