Greta Thunberg removed from climate protest hours after being fined

Climate activist earlier avoided prison term over road blockade

Greta Thunberg appeared at a court in Malmo, Sweden, on Monday. AP

Climate activist Greta Thunberg was forcibly removed from a protest in Sweden hours after she was fined by a local court for disobeying a police order during a similar demonstration last month.

Ms Thunberg, 20, and five others were taken away by police at the protest outside the port of Malmo.

Police said “six people have been removed from the scene”. They would be reported for “disobeying police orders”, police added – the same crime Ms Thunberg had just been fined for.

On June 19, Thunberg attended a rally in Malmo where roads were blocked to oil tankers.

She was part of a group that closed off the entrance and exit to Malmo harbour. She was charged for failing to leave when ordered to do so by police.

The eco-activist “took part in a demonstration that disrupted traffic” and “refused to obey police orders to leave the site”, said the charge sheet, seen by AFP.

Appearing in court on Monday, she was dressed casually in black trousers, a grey top and trainers.

Within hours, she had joined another environmental protest in Malmo.

We are in an emergency and my actions were legitimate

Greta Thunberg

Ms Thunberg told the court she had acted out of necessity, citing the need created by the “climate crisis”.

“It is absurd that those who act in line with science should pay the price for it,” she told reporters in the court.

“It is true that I was at the place, at the time described. It is true that I received an order which I did not follow,” she added. “But according to me, we are in an emergency and then due to that my acting was legitimate.”

Greta Thunberg takes part in an eco protest hours after her court appearance in Malmo. EPA

Earlier, she told the court that her actions were justifiable. “I believe that we are in an emergency that threatens life, health and property. Countless people and communities are at risk both in the short term and in the long term,” she said.

After a short trial, the judge found she was liable for her actions and fined her 1,500 kronor ($144). She was also ordered to pay an additional 1,000 kronor ($96) to the Swedish fund for victims of crime.

She had faced a maximum sentence of six months in prison.

The demonstration was organised by the environmental activist group “Ta tillbaka framtiden”, or Reclaim the Future, with the aim of blocking lorries from accessing Malmo harbour to protest against the use of fossil fuels.

“We choose to not be bystanders, and instead physically stop the fossil fuel infrastructure. We are reclaiming the future,” Ms Thunberg said in an Instagram post at the time.

Within hours of walking free from court, the outspoken advocate for climate action had joined demonstrators at another protest and was seen sitting cross-legged on a road, blocking traffic.

Ms Thunberg was one of around 15 activists to take part in a protest in the Oljehamnen neighbourhood in Malmo on Monday afternoon.

Asked why she chose to take part in the demonstration so soon after being in court, Ms Thunberg said she was not deterred by the fine and the climate crisis doesn’t care about such matters.

Greta Thunberg through the years – in pictures

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg makes a speech on the Pyramid Stage stage during the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, England, in June. All photos: Getty Images

Greta Thunberg speaks during a Fridays For Future march in Glasgow, Scotland, in November 2021.

Greta Thunberg at a protest in Glasgow, Scotland, during the Cop26 Summit in November 2021.

Greta Thunberg arrives at Glasgow Central station in Scotland after travelling by train from London ahead of the Cop26 summit in October 2021.

Greta Thunberg on stage during a Fridays for Future march in front of the Reichstag in Berlin, Germany, in September 2021.

Greta Thunberg attends a meeting with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen as they announce a new EU climate deal, at the European Commission in Brussels, in March 2020.

Greta Thunberg joins demonstrators during a Bristol Youth Strike 4 Climate march in February 2020 in Bristol, England.

Greta Thunberg gives a speech during the Cop25 Climate Conference in December 2019 in Madrid, Spain.

Greta Thunberg sets sail for New York from Plymouth, England, in August 2019.

Greta Thunberg receives applause after addressing politicians in the Houses of Parliament in London, in April 2019.

Greta Thunberg in February 2019, in Brussels.