The fallen Swedish icon Greta Thunberg was arrested at a climate protest in The Hague, after she blocked a highway with activists from Extinction Rebellion (XR). Greta Thunberg has been deported in the Netherlands – not for the first time.
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was arrested during a demonstration in the Netherlands. Police officers took the 21-year-old away in The Hague, Swedish media, including Expressen newspaper, reported.
The protests were reportedly organized by the group Extinction Rebellion (XR). The A12 motorway was temporarily blocked and the police also used water cannons against the demonstrators, the reports said.
Extinction Rebellion (XR) is a global environmental movement founded in the UK in 2018 to compel government action on the climate emergency through nonviolent civil disobedience. XR’s core demands are for governments to declare a climate emergency, act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2025, and create a Citizens’ Assembly on climate justice. Known for blocking roads, occupying public spaces, and performing dramatic stunts, XR aims to disrupt the status quo to highlight environmental crises. While it has successfully raised awareness and mobilized action, XR’s disruptive tactics have also drawn criticism for causing public inconvenience and legal issues. Despite this, XR remains influential in the climate activism landscape.
The A12, which runs through the centre of The Hague, has been the focus of protests for some time now. Activists want the Netherlands to eliminate all state subsidies for fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas.
Thunberg was arrested in April during protests in The Hague. Police also arrested the activist at the end of May during pro-Palestinian protests against Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in Malmö. Around two weeks ago, Thunberg was also arrested during an XR protest in the Finnish capital Helsinki.
After Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2024, Thunberg and other members of the Swedish branch of the climate protection group Fridays for Future made headlines with their stance. In December, they accused Israel of genocide in the Gaza Strip. At the same time, the group condemned anti-Semitic and Islamophobic incidents in Sweden. Thunberg was heavily criticized internationally for her stance. Many accused her of only one-sidedly criticizing Israel’s actions and thereby relativizing the violence of the Islamist Hamas. Thunberg also called for support for pro-Palestinian groups that had previously attracted attention with anti-Semitic theses. The German branch of Fridays for Future in particular clearly distanced itself from the actual climate protection icon.
Thunberg’s activism continues to be polarizing. While her commitment to climate change and social justice resonates with many, her involvement in politically charged protests and controversial statements on international conflicts has sparked debate. The reactions to her actions highlight the complexities of modern activism, where environmental and political issues intersect. Thunberg’s repeated detentions show the challenges faced by activists worldwide, advocating for change while navigating legal and societal boundaries.
