For several days, the young Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and a group of fellow protesters blocked the main entrance of the Swedish Parliament, making headlines once again.
On Wednesday, the Stockholm court fined Greta Thunberg for defying police orders to leave the scene during two climate protest actions. The court imposed a fine of 6,000 Swedish kronor (approximately 512 euros) and an additional 1,000 kronor (85 euros) in damages.
Convicted on Two Counts
In March, Thunberg and a small group of activists staged a sit-in at the main entrance of the Swedish Parliament. Although lawmakers could still enter through secondary doors, the protest aimed to draw attention to the climate crisis. On March 12 and 14, police removed Thunberg after she refused to vacate the premises. Facing two counts of civil disobedience, she denied the charges.
When asked by the judge why she did not comply with police orders, Thunberg responded, “Because there is a climate emergency, and there still is. In an emergency, we all have a duty to act.” She added, “Current laws protect extractive industries instead of people and the planet, which is what should be happening in my opinion,” as she exited the courtroom.
Previous Incidents
Thunberg is no stranger to legal trouble for her activism. She has been fined twice in Sweden for similar acts of civil disobedience, once in July and again in October 2023. In February, a London judge dismissed charges against her for public disorder during an anti-fossil fuel protest in October in the UK capital.
Most recently, at the beginning of April, Thunberg was detained in The Hague during an Extinction Rebellion protest against fossil fuel subsidies. Despite the legal repercussions, Thunberg remains steadfast in her commitment to raising awareness and pushing for urgent climate action.
Her persistent efforts highlight the growing frustration among activists with the slow pace of governmental response to the climate crisis, emphasizing the need for immediate and effective policy changes to protect the environment.
