Climate activist Greta Thunberg has been arrested at central London protest supporting Palestine Action hunger strikers.
The Swedish national, aged 22, simply held a sign stating “I support the Palestine Action prisoners. I oppose genocide”.
This comes after after several imprisoned Palestine Action activists, including one who has refused to eat for 52 days, have been taken to hospital in recent days.
Since the hunger strike began on November 2, a total of seven prisoners have been taken to hospital.
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.”
The demonstration was organised outside the offices of Aspen Insurance due to their provision of services to Israeli-linked defence firm Elbit Systems.
Eight prisoners started a months-long hunger strike demanding Palestine Action is de-proscribed, they are given bail immediately and Elbit Systems is shut down in the UK, among other requests.
Three of the original eight strikers have stopped the protest.
Last week, Qesser Zuhrah, 20, was taken to hospital after refusing food for 48 days. She has now ended the protest.
Amu Gib, 30, is also detained at HMP Bronzefield started a hunger strike on the same day as Ms Zuhrah (November 2).
It was reported that she was taken to hospital on Saturday after refusing food for 51 days.
Palestine for Prisoners said her health declined “rapidly” and she now needs a wheelchair.
Kamran Ahmed, 28, was also taken to hospital last week. He was being held at Pentonville Prison in Islington, London.
The other hunger strikers are Heba Muraisi, 31, Teuta Hoxha, 29, and Lewie Chiaramello, 22. Some of whom have refused food between 44 and 50 days.
Ms Hoxha’s sister said five days ago:
“I don’t think people realise how serious this is, as on day 35 you risk brain damage, organ failure and heart attack. Today, she’s on day 40. I don’t want to lose my sister, I don’t want to imagine my life without her.”
“HMPPS are clear that claims that hospital care is being refused are entirely misleading – they will always be taken when needed and a number of these prisoners have already been treated in hospital.
“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.”
