Greta Thunberg among activists detained at protest to disrupt oil executives forum
Greta Thunberg has been detained by British police alongside other climate activists who gathered outside a central London hotel to disrupt a major oil and gas industry conference
LONDON — LONDON (AP) — Greta Thunberg was detained by British police on Tuesday alongside other climate activists who gathered outside a central London hotel to disrupt a major oil and gas industry conference.
Thunberg was among dozens of protesters who chanted “oily money out” and sought to block access to the luxury InterContinental Hotel on Park Lane, which is hosting the Energy Intelligence Forum. The conference features speakers including the chief executives of Shell, Saudi Arabia’s Aramco and Norway’s Equinor, as well as the U.K.’s energy security minister.
An Associated Press photographer saw officers speaking with Thunberg before leading her away and taking her into a police vehicle.
Protesters attempted to block access to the conference venue by sitting on the sidewalk by the entrance. They held aloft banners and chanted “oily money out” and “cancel the conference,” while some lit yellow and pink smoke flares.
Two Greenpeace activists abseiled down from the roof of the hotel to unfurl a giant banner reading “Make Big Oil Pay.”
London's Metropolitan Police said a total of 29 people were arrested at Tuesday's protests, including six on suspicion of obstructing a highway and 21 others for breaching protest conditions. One person was detained on suspicion of criminal damage and a further for breaching court bail conditions. All were in custody.
Police said they engaged in conversations with the protesters on allowing people to access the venue safely and prevent serious disruption to the hotel and guests, but some of the activists
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