Greta Thunberg Fined Over Climate Protest
Facts
- A Swedish court on Monday issued a fine to climate activist Greta Thunberg, after she was found guilty of disobeying a police order to leave a climate protest at an oil facility last month.1
- Thunberg, along with several other youth activists from the Reclaim the Future group, allegedly refused a police order to vacate the road to make way for oil trucks in Malmo on June 19.2
- Though she was charged with 'the crime of disobedience to law and order' and fined roughly $144, Thunberg pleaded not guilty to the charges, arguing she acted out of 'necessity.'3
- Following Monday's verdict, Thunberg said that the world cannot be saved 'by playing by the rules,' before vowing that she would not back down.4
- Hours after she was fined, Thunberg returned to Malmo harbor, but was again forcibly removed by law enforcement for trying to stage another roadblock.2
- Monday's trial is reportedly the first time Thunberg has been convicted for participating in a climate protest.5
Sources: 1Daily Caller, 2Reuters, 3CNN, 4FOX News and 5Guardian.
Narratives
- Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Reuters. Citizens have the right to protest peacefully, not the right to protest in a way that disregards police order, creates chaos on the road, and disturbs passersby. Thunberg was not fined for her political beliefs but for breaking the law.
- Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by CNN. The actual crime here is the continued use of fossil fuels destroying the planet. Thunberg and other brave activists should be applauded for putting themselves on the line — even if it means being disruptive to law enforcement. These protests are necessary to tackle the dire threat of the climate crisis.