Need to know
Greta Thunberg, 22, was arrested in London while supporting hunger-striking activists, who are now taking legal action against the government over their treatment
- Greta Thunberg was arrested in central London during a demonstration at the offices of Aspen Insurance. The 22-year-old activist was filmed holding a placard that expressed support for prisoners linked to the group Palestine Action.
- The protest targeted Aspen Insurance because the group claims the company provides financial services to Elbit Systems. Elbit is known as Israel’s largest weapons manufacturer and has several operations within the United Kingdom.
- Authorities arrested Thunberg under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 for displaying an item in support of a proscribed organisation. This specific legal charge relates to her public support for Palestine Action, which is currently a banned group in the UK.
- Two other activists were also taken into custody after spraying red paint on the building and gluing themselves to the site. Police used specialist officers to safely remove the pair before charging them with criminal damage.
- The demonstration was held in solidarity with six prisoners currently on a hunger strike in British jails. These individuals are campaigning for the government to lift the ban on Palestine Action and shut down Elbit’s UK operations.
- The health of the hunger strikers has reached a critical point, with two individuals recently being hospitalised. Both Kamran Ahmed and Amu Gib have now gone more than 40 days without consuming food.
- Lawyers for the activists have criticized Justice Secretary David Lammy for refusing to meet with them to discuss the situation. They argue that the government has failed to follow its own internal policies regarding the management of hunger strikes in prisons.
- Palestine Action have now initiated the first stage of legal proceedings against the British government.
- The imprisoned activists face charges related to break-ins at a weapons factory and a Royal Air Force base last year. During those incidents, military aircraft were damaged with spray paint as part of a protest against arms manufacturing.
- READ THE FULL STORY: Hunger strikes major update as government faces legal threat with seven hospitalised
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