Climate activist Greta Thunberg arrested at University of Copenhagen in pro-Palestinian protest

Danish police arrested prominent climate activist Greta Thunberg on September 4 in Copenhagen at a protest against the brutal Israel-Hamas fighting raging in Gaza, a spokesperson for the student group organising the demonstration said.

Six people have been arrested at the University of Copenhagen after 20 people blocked the entrance to a building and three entered, the Guardian quoted a police spokesperson as saying. Police declined to confirm the identities of any of those detained.

Responsible for organising the protest, the Students against the Occupation confirmed through its spokesperson that Thunberg, 21, is one of those held in custody. Ekstra Bladet published a picture of the activist apparently handcuffed.

Pro-Palestinian protesters demanding an “academic boycott”

Great Thunberg has uploaded images on Instagram of riot police entering a building during the protest. “I can’t confirm the names of those arrested, but six people have been arrested in connection to the demonstration,” a police spokesperson said.

In a statement posted on the social media platform, the group behind the demonstration on September 4 accused the University of Copenhagen of continuing to cooperate with academic institutions in Israel, reported the Guardian. It is demanding an “academic boycott”.

Pro-Palestinian protests have set up encampments at universities across Europe since last spring to demonstrate against Israel’s bombardment of the Gaza Strip and occupation of Palestinian territories. The Gaza crisis has already seen tens of thousands of people dead.