Greta Thunberg, 4 others acquitted on London climate protest charges
Judge criticizes police for ‘unclear’ orders and other actions leading up to October 2023 arrests
A judge on Friday acquitted climate activist Greta Thunberg of a charge that she had refused to follow a police order to leave a protest that blocked the entrance to a major oil and gas industry conference in London last year.
The gallery erupted with clapping as Judge John Law told Thunberg and her four co-defendants to stand and told them they were cleared of the criminal charge of breaching the Public Order Act on the grounds that there were “significant deficiencies in the evidence” presented against Thunberg and the others.
Law said the police could have taken less restrictive measures, didn’t properly define where protesters should move and the order to disperse that was given was “so unclear that it was unlawful” that those who didn’t comply committed no offence.
The judge said he would grant defence lawyer Raj Chada’s request for the government to pay his legal fees and Thunberg’s travel costs after they submit those bills.
The Swedish environmentalist, who inspired a global youth movement demanding stronger efforts to fight climate change, was charged in Westminster Magistrates’ Court with violating the act that allows police to impose limits on public assemblies. She had faced a fine of up to 2,500 pounds ($4,250 Cdn) if she had been convicted.
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