In a video shared by the Prisoners for Palestine group, Ms Thunberg, 22, can be seen holding a sign reading “I support the Palestine Action prisoners. I oppose genocide” at a demonstration organised by the outside the offices of Aspen Insurance.
Greta Thunberg during the protest at Aspen Insurance at Plantation Place in the City of London
(Prisoners for Palestine/PA)
A City of London Police spokesperson said: “At around 7am this morning hammers and red paint were used to damage a building on Fenchurch Street.
“A man and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. They glued themselves nearby and specialist officers are working to release them, and bring them into police custody.
“A little while later, a 22-year-old woman also attended the scene. She has been arrested for displaying an item (in this case a placard) in support of a proscribed organisation (in this case Palestine Action) contrary to Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000.”
The group claimed they targeted the company on Tuesday morning because they provide services to Israeli-linked defence firm Elbit Systems.
Two activists sprayed red paint over the front of the building before police arrived and made arrests.
Eight prisoners started a months-long hunger strike to demand Palestine Action be de-proscribed, they’re bailed immediately and Elbit Systems is shut down in the UK, among other requests.
Three of the original eight strikers have stopped the protest.
Last week, 20-year-old Qesser Zuhrah was taken to hospital after refusing food for 48 days. Protestors including Your Party MP Zarah Sultana gathered outside HMP Bronzefield as they believed she was not receiving adequate medical treatment. She has now ended the protest.
Amu Gib, 30, who is also detained at HMP Bronzefield started a hunger strike on the same day as Ms Zuhrah (November 2). It was reported that she was taken to hospital on Sunday after refusing food for 51 days. Palestine for Prisoners said her health declined “rapidly” and she now needs a wheelchair.
The other hunger strikers are Kamran Ahmed, 28, Heba Muraisi, 31, Teuta Hoxha, 29, and Lewie Chiaramello, 22. Some of them have refused food between 44 and 50 days.
Ms Hoxha’s sister said on five days ago: “I don’t think people realise how serious this is, as on day 35 you risk brain damage, organ failure and heart attack. Today, she’s on day 40. I don’t want to lose my sister, I don’t want to imagine my life without her.”
Politicians and activists have urged deputy PM and justice secretary David Lammy to meet with Prisoners for Palestine to put an end to the strikes.
The government has said it won’t get involved with remand decisions, which are the responsibility of independent judges.
Minister of State for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending Lord Timpson, told the BBC: “Prison healthcare teams provide NHS care and continuously monitor the situation. HMPPS are clear that claims that hospital care is being refused are entirely misleading – they will always be taken when needed and a number of these prisoners have already been treated in hospital.
“Ministers will not meet with them – we have a justice system that is based on the separation of powers, and the independent judiciary is the cornerstone of our system. It would be entirely unconstitutional and inappropriate for ministers to intervene in ongoing legal cases.”
The activists were locked up for breaking into an Elbit factory and a Royal Air Force base. Some of them have been in prison for over a year awaiting trial.
In the UK, pre-trial custody time limits are restricted to six months.
The High Court has been reviewing the decision to proscribe by then home secretary Yvette Cooper in July. A judgment is expected in the New Year.
This is a breaking news story. More follows.
