Greta Thunberg Detained in Copenhagen During Pro-Palestinian Protest

Prominent environmental activist Greta Thunberg was among those arrested in Copenhagen on Wednesday during a demonstration at the University of Copenhagen. The protest, organized by the student group Students Against the Occupation, was aimed at condemning the ongoing conflict in Gaza and advocating for an academic boycott of Israel.

The protest saw around 20 activists block the entrance to a university building, with three individuals reportedly entering the premises. The group's action was part of a broader campaign urging universities to sever academic ties with Israeli institutions in response to the conflict in Palestine.

Police confirmed that six people had been detained in connection with the protest, though they declined to identify those arrested. However, a spokesperson from Students Against the Occupation confirmed that Thunberg, 21, was among the detainees.

Images from the scene, published by the Danish news outlet Ekstra Bladet, depicted Thunberg wearing handcuffs and a keffiyeh shawl, a symbol of solidarity with the Palestinian cause. Thunberg also shared photos on Instagram showing riot police entering the building where the protest was taking place.

Copenhagen police stated, "We can't confirm the names of those arrested, but six individuals are suspected of forcibly entering the building and obstructing access." The university was reportedly occupied by protesters demanding an immediate academic boycott of Israeli institutions.

Students Against the Occupation released a statement on Instagram criticizing the University of Copenhagen for continuing its cooperation with Israeli academic institutions amid the worsening situation in Gaza. The statement read, "While the situation in Palestine only gets worse, the University of Copenhagen continues cooperation with academic institutions in Israel. We are occupying the university’s central administration with one demand: academic boycott now."

The protest in Copenhagen is part of a larger wave of demonstrations that have erupted at universities across the US and Europe since last spring. These protests aim to highlight the impact of Israel's military actions in Gaza and call for a re-evaluation of academic and institutional ties with Israel.