Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg pleaded not guilty to public disorder charges after disrupting a London oil industry conference last October.
In the presence of journalists at Westminster Magistrates Court, the world-famous 20-year-old only spoke to confirm her identity and give her plea, mirroring four other defendants. All were released pending a two-day trial at London’s City court, commencing 1 February.
They were welcomed outside the court by Greenpeace and Fossil Free London protestors bearing placards, advocating to “Make polluters pay”.
Thunberg was charged with 25 other activists for demonstrating on 17 October at the Energy Intelligence Forum, an event that brought together leading oil and gas corporations at an expensive London hotel.
“Behind these closed doors, politicians orchestrate deals and compromises with lobbyists of the fossil fuel sector,” Thunberg had proclaimed to the press before being escorted into a police van. Under judicial supervision, she joined a fresh protest outside the hotel the following day, this time with hundreds of other demonstrators.
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The young activist is facing charges for failing to adhere to the London police’s injunction against blocking the street where the protest took place.
The British Government recently issued numerous new oil and gas exploration permits in pursuit of energy independence, one of its declared priorities.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has also delayed by five years the ban on sales of new petrol cars. The prohibition against oil, LPG or coal boilers has likewise been postponed.
