Extract of article by Damien Gayle, published by the Guardian on 18/10/2023 – accessible here.
The Swedish environmental campaigner, 20, was one of 29 arrested during a protest trying to stop delegates entering the Energy Intelligence Forum at the InterContinental London Park Lane in Mayfair.
Videos showed her being placed in the back of a police van after joining crowds blocking hotel entrances and chanting “oily money out”. Police officers had jostled with protesters to create a channel for delegates to enter.
According to the Metropolitan police, she was charged with “failing to comply with a condition imposed under section 14 of the Public Order Act”. Police had demanded protesters move from the road on to the pavement.
Twenty-six others were also charged with various alleged offences relating to the protest.
Details of Thunberg’s charge came as Just Stop Oil said its cofounders, Indigo Rumbelow and Roger Hallam, were arrested on Wednesday morning following dawn raids at their homes.
The climate campaign said police had forcibly entered their homes, searched their belongings and confiscated papers. It said supporters would continue with plans to march every day in London from 30 October.