Prominent Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was taken into police custody in London on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, during a demonstration supporting imprisoned pro-Palestinian activists on hunger strike.
Protest at Insurance Building Precedes Arrest
The incident occurred at the Aspen Insurance offices located at Plantation Place in London's financial district. The protest action involved two activists who sprayed red paint on the front of the building earlier that day. This act was carried out in solidarity with members of the group Palestine Action, who are currently in prison and have begun a hunger strike.
Thunberg was present at the location, demonstrating her support for the cause, when Metropolitan Police officers intervened. The arrest took place on December 23, 2025, as confirmed by Associated Press reports and imagery from the scene.
Context of the Hunger Strike and Activism
The activists Thunberg was supporting are part of Palestine Action, a group known for targeting companies it alleges are complicit in or profit from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Their hunger strike is a protest against their imprisonment and their cause.
Thunberg, globally recognized for initiating the Fridays for Future school strike movement, has increasingly broadened her activism to encompass other social justice issues, including the Palestinian cause. Her participation in this demonstration marks a significant intersection of climate and geopolitical activism.
Police Response and Immediate Aftermath
London police have not immediately released a detailed statement on the specific charges leading to Thunberg's arrest, though it is standard procedure during demonstrations involving property damage or public order offenses. The scene was documented by photographers, showing police activity and the red paint on the insurance building's facade.
The arrest of such a high-profile international figure is certain to draw further attention to the plight of the hunger-striking activists and the tactics of groups like Palestine Action. It also highlights the ongoing, intense debates in major cities around the world regarding the boundaries of protest and activism.
As of the reporting, there is no information on whether Thunberg has been released or if she will face formal charges. The event underscores the continuing global resonance of the Palestinian issue and the willingness of prominent activists from other movements to lend their visibility to the cause.
