Greta Thunberg’s Climate Protest Speech in Amsterdam Disrupted by Stage Invader
Edited by Agnibeena Ghosh
During a climate protest in Amsterdam, Greta Thunberg encountered an interruption in her speech by a stage invader on Sunday, November 12th. The man attempted to wrestle the microphone from Ms. Thunberg’s grasp, expressing discontent, stating he attended a climate demonstration, not a platform for political perspectives.
Preceding this incident, murmurs of “Palestine will be free” reverberated among the gathered crowd, offering a glimpse into the underlying tensions surrounding the rally’s discourse.
Earlier in the demonstration, an activist had her speech curtailed by event organizers after utilizing the phrase “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” as reported by Reuters news agency.
The utilization of this slogan at various demonstrations globally has been contentious, with diverging interpretations. Many Jewish organizations argue that this phrase signifies a call for the eradication of Israel. Conversely, pro-Palestinian activists assert that most individuals employing this slogan aim to highlight the cessation of Israel’s occupation in the West Bank and the blockade of Gaza, not advocating for the annihilation of Israel itself.
Following the removal of the man from the stage, Greta Thunberg joined the assembled crowd in chanting “no climate justice on occupied land,” aligning herself with the sentiments expressed regarding the issue.
Notably, last month, the Swedish climate activist faced criticism after sharing pro-Palestinian messages on social media. Critics accused her of neglecting support for Israeli victims amid the Hamas attacks, sparking debate and further controversy around her stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
News Mania Desk / Agnibeena Ghosh 14th November 2023