Prominent climate campaigner Greta Thunberg has been detained by police in the heart of London's financial district during a demonstration supporting imprisoned activists. The 22-year-old Swedish activist was arrested on Tuesday morning outside the offices of an insurance firm targeted by the protest group Prisoners for Palestine.
The Arrest and Protest Details
According to a City of London Police spokesperson, the incident began at approximately 7am on Tuesday 24th December 2025 at a building on Fenchurch Street. The protest was staged at the offices of Aspen Insurance, a company the activists allege provides services to Israeli-linked defence firm Elbit Systems.
Footage shared by the protest group shows Ms Thunberg holding a sign stating "I support the Palestine Action prisoners. I oppose genocide". Police confirmed that prior to her arrival, two other activists – a 24-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman – had been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after using hammers and spraying red paint on the building's facade. They had glued themselves to the area and required specialist officers to release them before being taken into custody.
Ms Thunberg was arrested a short time later for displaying an item in support of a proscribed organisation, contrary to Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000. She was subsequently released on bail and is required to return to a police station in March 2026.
Background: The Hunger Strikes and "Political Prisoners"
The demonstration was held in solidarity with members of the group Palestine Action, who are currently in prison awaiting trial. The group itself was banned under terrorism legislation earlier this year. Several of these imprisoned activists have now embarked on a hunger strike, which began on 2nd November 2025.
In a video posted to her Instagram on Monday, the day before her arrest, Ms Thunberg described the detainees as "political prisoners" and called for the UK Government to release them and drop all charges. The protest comes amid serious concerns for the health of the hunger strikers. Seven prisoners have been taken to hospital since the strike began.
Two individuals were hospitalised in the past week: Kamran Ahmed, 28, from Pentonville Prison, and Amu Gib, 30, from HMP Bronzefield. Ms Gib, who has refused food for 52 days, has seen her health "deteriorate rapidly" according to supporters, and now requires a wheelchair. She was admitted to hospital on Saturday.
Legal Action and Wider Implications
The legal firm representing the hunger strikers has escalated the matter, submitting a pre-action letter to Justice Secretary David Lammy on Monday. This letter formally outlines their intention to initiate legal proceedings against the government regarding the treatment and detention of the activists.
This incident marks a significant moment, linking high-profile climate activism with direct action in support of a group proscribed under anti-terror laws. It highlights the evolving nature of protest in the UK and the legal boundaries surrounding support for banned organisations. The use of the Terrorism Act 2000 in this context is likely to spark further debate about protest rights and the definition of terrorism-related offences.
