“The climate crisis is already a matter of life and death for countless people. We choose to not be bystanders, and instead, physically stop the fossil fuel infrastructure. We are reclaiming the future.”

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has been charged with disobeying the law after she defied police orders to leave a climate protest in the city of Malmo last month.

Local newspaper Sydsvenskan reported the incident stating that Thunberg and other activists were detained for stalling traffic at the oil terminal of the port in Malmö on 19 June.

Shortly after the event, Swedish prosecutors issued a statement that said a “young woman” was charged with disobedience because she “refused to comply with police orders to leave the scene” during the protest. 

While the statement didn’t disclose the name of the young woman, Swedish Prosecution Authority spokeswoman Annika Collin confirmed that it was Thunberg.

The 20-year-old also posted about the incident on Instagram. She wrote:  “Young activists…have blocked oil tankers in the Malmö oil harbour.

“The climate crisis is already a matter of life and death for countless people. We choose to not be bystanders, and instead, physically stop the fossil fuel infrastructure. We are reclaiming the future.”

What was the protest about?

Climate activists led by the youth group Ta tillbaka framtiden (Take Back the Future) staged a multi-day protest at Malmö’s port starting 15 June.

The protestors physically blocked oil tankers in the harbour.

During the protest, Thunberg tweeted: “The climate crisis is already a matter of life and death for countless people.

“We choose to not be bystanders, and instead physically stop the fossil fuel infrastructure. We are reclaiming the future.”

Police present at the scene ordered the protestors to make way for the vehicles to pass. Thunberg was among those who refused and was escorted away by the police.

What punishment could Thunberg receive?

According to Sydsvenskan, the activist is reportedly scheduled to appear in court at the end of July.

Thunberg could be fined or face up to six months in prison if found guilty of disobeying a police order.

“You have the freedom to demonstrate, but you must not demonstrate in such a way that it causes disturbances for others,” prosecutor Charlotte Ottosen told the local publication.

Thunberg’s run-ins with law enforcement

This isn’t the first time Thunberg has clashed with authorities.

Earlier in the year, she was detained by Norway police during a demonstration in support of Indigenous rights in Oslo

She was also detained by German police during protests against the demolition of the coal village of Luetzerath in January.

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