Greta Thunberg arrested at protest supporting Palestine Action hunger strikers

Climate activist Greta Thunberg has been arrested in central London at a demonstration in support of Palestine Action hunger strikers.

City of London Police said a 22-year-old woman has been arrested for displaying a placard in support of proscribed organisation, Palestine Action, contrary to Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

In a video shared by the Prisoners for Palestine protest group, Ms Thunberg can be seen holding a sign reading "I support the Palestine Action prisoners. I oppose genocide" at a demonstration outside the central London offices of Aspen Insurance.

She was later released on bail, police said.

The group claimed they targeted the company on Tuesday morning because they provide services to Israeli-linked defence firm Elbit Systems.

Two activists sprayed red paint over the front of the building before police arrived and made arrests.

The Swedish activist was at the rally in London to support multiple members of the banned group who are currently in prison on remand and have been on hunger strike since 2 November.

At least three of those who initially began the hunger strike have now stopped as their health deteriorated, according to reports - but others are continuing.

Those on hunger strike are demanding an end to the UK hosting weapons factories that supply arms to Israel, the de-proscription of Palestine Action, an end to mistreatment of prisoners in custody, and immediate bail.

They have been visited by several politicians, some of whom have warned the government that the striking prisoners might die in the coming days.

But the government has insisted it will not intervene in ongoing legal cases.

Lord Timpson, the prisons minister, said: "These prisoners are charged with serious offences including aggravated burglary and criminal damage.

"Remand decisions are for independent judges, and lawyers can make representations to the court on behalf of their clients.

"Ministers will not meet with them - we have a justice system that is based on the separation of powers, and the independent judiciary is the cornerstone of our system. It would be entirely unconstitutional and inappropriate for ministers to intervene in ongoing legal cases."

A City of London Police spokesperson said: "At around 7am this morning, hammers and red paint were used to damage a building on Fenchurch Street.

"A man and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. They glued themselves nearby and specialist officers are working to release them, and bring them into police custody.

"A little while later, a 22-year-old woman also attended the scene.

"She has been arrested for displaying an item (in this case a placard) in support of a proscribed organisation (in this case Palestine Action) contrary to Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000."

A spokesperson for Defend Our Juries said: "Greta Thunberg held a sign saying, 'I support the Palestine Action prisoners. I oppose genocide.'

"It's not clear if the Met Police have made another one of their mistakes in interpreting the crazy ban on Palestine Action or whether the state has now turned anyone expressing support for prisoners locked up beyond the legal time limit for taking action to stop a genocide into alleged terrorists.

"If it is the former, then we look forward to seeing Greta released without charge immediately.

"If it is the latter, it is yet another dark day for Keir Starmer's genocide-supporting government.

"In calling people terrorists who are not terrorists they are not acting to protect the public, they are acting to protect the companies profiting from genocide and the genocidal state of Israel itself."

Update - Police confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that a 22-year-old woman has been released on bail until a date in March.

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