Greta Thunberg, a climate activist, was found not guilty on Friday of disobeying a police directive to vacate a demonstration obstructing the entrance to a significant oil and gas conference in London in the previous year.

The audience in the courtroom burst into applause when Judge John Law instructed Thunberg and her four co-defendants to rise and announced that they were no longer facing charges for violating the Public Order Act. The judge stated that there were “major shortcomings in the evidence” presented by the prosecution.

According to the judge, the police had the option to use less strict methods and did not clearly specify where protestors were allowed to go. The order to disperse was considered unlawful due to its lack of clarity. Therefore, individuals who did not follow the order did not commit a crime.

The court has approved defense attorney Raj Chada’s plea for the government to cover legal expenses and Thunberg’s travel expenses upon submission of the bills. If found guilty in Westminster Magistrates’ Court of breaking the law that authorizes police to restrict public gatherings, she could have been fined up to 2,500 pounds ($3,190).

Chada stated outside of court that the requirements placed on the protest were ambiguous, unpredictable, and illegal. They also urged the government to cease prosecuting nonviolent demonstrators and focus on addressing the issue of climate change.

On October 17, there was a protest in the United Kingdom against companies that produce fossil fuels, resulting in criminal charges. Other protests have caused disruptions at sporting events, caused major traffic delays, or used striking tactics to bring awareness to the urgent issue of climate change.

However, the judge acknowledged that the protest which Thunberg, 21, participated in was “peaceful, civilized, and nonviolent.”

The Swedish activist, who motivated a worldwide movement of young people advocating for more aggressive measures against climate change, was one of over 25 demonstrators apprehended for obstructing entry to a hotel where the Energy Intelligence Forum was taking place. The forum was attended by high-level executives from the industry.

“It is surprising to note that there were no testimonies gathered from the approximately 1,000 individuals present at the hotel or from those attempting to enter,” stated Law as he read a verdict that elicited laughter from Thunberg and her co-accused. “There was no proof of any obstructed vehicles, interference with emergency services, or endangerment of life.”

Greta Thunberg and other activists fighting for climate change have accused companies in the fossil fuel industry of intentionally hindering the shift towards renewable energy in order to increase their profits. They also strongly oppose the U.K. government’s recent decision to allow oil drilling in the North Sea, near Scotland’s coastline.

Thunberg departed from the courthouse on Friday without addressing the press, passing by numerous cameras before quickly running down the sidewalk with her companions.

After the first day of the trial on Thursday, she made a brief statement, reminding us of who the true adversary is. She questioned the purpose of our defense and who our laws are truly meant to safeguard.

Superintendent Matthew Cox of the Metropolitan Police stated that he had collaborated with protesters for approximately five hours prior to giving an instruction for them to relocate to a nearby street, as he was worried about the well-being of those inside the hotel.

Cox testified that there appeared to be a deliberate effort to obstruct the delegates and guests from entering the hotel, greatly limiting their access.

Cox reported that demonstrators used vibrant flares and drummers played loudly near the hotel, while some protesters sat on the ground and others rappelled from the roof. As police started making arrests, new protesters stepped in, resulting in a continuous cycle that eventually depleted the number of officers available for arrests.

According to prosecutor Luke Staton, Thunberg was at the hotel’s main entrance when she received a final warning that she would be arrested if she did not comply. Despite this, she stated her intention to remain in her current location.

Thunberg gained widespread attention when she began organizing weekly demonstrations outside the Swedish Parliament in 2018.

During the summer, she received a penalty from a Swedish court for refusing to follow police orders and causing traffic disruptions during an environmental demonstration at an oil site. This was not her first time being fined for this offense in Sweden.

Source: wral.com