Climate activist Greta Thunberg was arrested on Wednesday, along with a group of activists, after they occupied a building at the University of Copenhagen. The protest, organized by the group ‘Students against the Occupation,’ was a call for an academic boycott of Israeli universities. Images from Danish media outlet Ekstrabladet show Thunberg, wearing a keffiyeh shawl, being escorted out of the building by police. The 21-year-old activist later shared images on Instagram of riot police entering the building where the protest was taking place.
According to a Copenhagen police spokesperson, six people were arrested in connection with the demonstration. They were accused of forcing their way into the building and obstructing the entrance. The ‘Students against the Occupation’ group stated in an Instagram post that despite the worsening situation in Palestine, the University of Copenhagen continues its cooperation with academic institutions in Israel. They demanded an immediate academic boycott, declaring that they were occupying the university’s central administration to make their point.
This incident follows a pattern of pro-Palestinian protests that have emerged at universities across the United States and Europe since last spring. These protests are a response to Israel’s bombardment of Gaza and its ongoing occupation of Palestinian territories. The arrest of Greta Thunberg and other activists highlights the growing global awareness of the Palestinian cause and the mounting pressure on academic institutions to sever ties with Israel.
