Climate activist Greta Thunberg cleared of public order offense in London court

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) – Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg on Friday emerged victorious as she was cleared of a public order offense following a protest outside an oil and gas conference held last year.

Thunberg was arrested by London police in October for participating in the protest that targeted the Energy Intelligence Forum – an annual event that draws executives from major oil and gas corporations as well as political figures.

- 'Today’s verdict is a victory for right to protest'

Thunberg and four others were acquitted by Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday. They were part of the first five of a group of 26 activists on trial over the next few weeks.

"Despite the acquittal, justice has not been serviced because the wrong people are in the dock. We are outraged that our increasingly draconian ‘justice system’ and the government chooses to punish more and more of those fighting against climate breakdown by dragging them through the court system when it’s clear who the real criminals are," said Joanna Warrington, an organizer with Fossil Free London.

"The reckless super-rich oil bosses, keeping us hooked on their unaffordable, deadly fossil fuels; prioritizing their profit over the lives of billions of people around the world," she added.

Maja Darlington, a campaigner at Greenpeace UK, also said: "Today’s verdict is a victory for the right to protest. It is ridiculous that more and more climate activists are finding themselves in court for peacefully exercising their right to protest, while fossil fuel giants are allowed to reap billions in profits from selling climate-wrecking fossil fuels.

"The prosecution of Greta and other peaceful protesters reflects a government that cares more about bolstering the profits of oil bosses than fighting for a livable future for all of us. Instead of cracking down on climate activists, the UK government should force the oil industry to stop drilling and start paying for the damage they are causing to our planet and everyone who lives on it," she underlined.