Greta Thunberg Detained by Danish Police for Gaza Protest

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and five others were detained by Danish police at the University of Copenhagen during a protest against the conflict in Gaza. Thunberg, prominently featured in a video being led to a police vehicle, was released later that day, reports from Danish media indicated. The protest took place in the administration building of the university, where the group Students Against the Occupation called for an end to the university’s partnerships with Israeli institutions.

In a press release, the student group stated, “As the situation in Palestine deteriorates, the University of Copenhagen persists in its cooperation with Israeli universities, thereby supporting actions deemed genocidal. Our university should not be complicit in such acts.” Thunberg, though not a student, shared updates via Instagram, mentioning the forceful police entry and subsequent detainment of protesters.

Although Thunberg is primarily recognized for her environmental activism, she has recently voiced support for Palestinian rights. In a December article for The Guardian, penned by Thunberg and her colleagues from Fridays for Future Sweden, they expressed that advocating for climate justice aligns with defending human rights, emphasizing that silence in the face of injustice implies complicity. The recent escalation in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, leading to significant casualties and a statement from a United Nations rapporteur suggesting that the actions in Gaza might constitute genocide.