Greta Thunberg, Swedish climate activist will appear for trial on Monday, 24 July 2024, in Sweden on charge of disobeying police orders to vacate the site of the protest rally in southern Sweden last month.
Monday, Stockholm: Greta Thunberg is scheduled to appear in court today at 09:30 GMT in the southern Swedish city. The Swedish climate activist is set to face the court trial today after she along with other climate activists blocked the city of Malmo.
On June 19, Greta and other activists protested at the oil terminal in the port of Malmo, causing traffic to come to a halt. They also refused to leave the protest site after being ordered to do so by the police. As a result of their civil disobedience, they were detained.
According to the charge sheet filed against Greta Thunberg, the 20-year-old even after the orders of police to stop the protest that caused disruption in traffic in Malmo, refused to leave the site.
“Ta Tillbaka Framtiden”
“Ta tillbaka framtiden” (Reclaim the Future), An Environmental activist group, was the organiser of the protest rally that tried to block the entrance and exit to the Malmo harbour to protest against the use of fossil fuel.
Six members of this organisation are charged and are summoned to the court in Malmo as they will face trial today on this issue of fossil fuel.
The organisation/ group “Reclaim the Future” has made a statement that no legal pressures will hinder their constant determination and will to protect the environment.
In addition to it, they have stated that the civil disobedience will continue even after the charges of court against them. Reclaim the Future, explained that As Young People, they will take vigilant actions instead of waiting to stop the fossil industry from burning the lives of people.
According to the group’s spokesman Irma Kjellstrom while talking to AFP, if the court chooses to see their action as a crime, they will accept it. However, they believe that they have the right to live and that the fossil fuels industry is impeding that right.
Thunberg’s response
In her statement, Greta Thunberg claimed that the climate crisis is already a matter of life and death for countless individuals. She and her team of climate activists decided to take action and physically obstruct the fossil fuel infrastructure instead of being bystanders. Thunberg emphasised that their actions are aimed at reclaiming the future as the name of the organisation suggests.
About facing the trial, Thunberg responded “no comment” to police questions regarding the Malmo rally.
Possible charges against Greta Thunberg
Prosecutor Charlotte Ottesen while providing more details to the Sydsvenskan newspaper mentioned that the charge of disobedience may result in a maximum sentence of a six-month jail term or a fine.
Ottesen also mentioned that usually, disobedience charges are punished with fines. Further she explained that the activist could be sentenced to up to six months in prison,
“Greta Thunberg fighting against Climate Change”
Greta Thunberg, a Swedish environmental activist, gained international recognition for her efforts to combat climate change.
Thunberg first made headlines in August 2018 when she began protesting outside the Swedish Parliament while holding a sign that read “Skolstrejk för klimatet” (School strike for climate) at the age of 15.
“The Swedish government should take action to reduce carbon emissions in accordance with the Paris Agreement.”, She demanded.
Apart from leading climate strikes, Greta Thunberg frequently criticises governments and politicians for their inadequate handling of climate change problems.
She along with a small band of youths have founded the Fridays for Future movement, since becoming a prominent voice in the fight against climate change despite criticism of being called too young or a left wing “puppet”.
While her civil disobedience to the police orders during her protest in Malmo may have landed her in legal trouble, her statement has made it clear that the protest to fight for a better future of the planet will continue.
