Greta Thunberg, known for her campaign against man-made climate change, was detained for blocking a road in the Belgian capital during a protest demanding an end to fossil fuel subsidies.
She was part of a small group of protesters who broke away from a march organised by the United for Climate Justice movement outside the European Parliament yesterday, October 5. The protesters called on the European Union to stop subsidising fossil fuels in order to achieve its ambitious goal of making the continent carbon neutral by 2050.
In an open letter to European Union leaders, climate activists, scientists and economists wrote: “This will not happen without an immediate phase out of fossil fuel subsidies. Until these necessary changes occur, people will continue to take to the streets to make our voices heard and hold you accountable.”
Thunberg, 21, has previously faced detention for civil disobedience at protests in multiple countries. Earlier this week, she participated in a protest in Copenhagen against the war in the Gaza Strip and Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, resulting in her detention. She was later released. Thunberg speaks out in defence of Palestinian interests, especially as the anniversary of the war and crisis in the region approaches.
