- The man came on stage and grabbed the microphone after Ms Thunberg said: “The powers that be weren’t listening.”
Climate activist Greta Thunberg was briefly interrupted today by a man who accosted her on stage after she invited a Palestinian woman and an Afghan woman to speak at a climate protest in Amsterdam.
Ms. Thunberg spoke to a crowd of tens of thousands as she invited the women to the stage.
“As a climate justice movement, we must listen to the voices of those who are oppressed and fight for freedom and justice.” “Without international solidarity, there can be no climate justice,” she said.
After the Palestinian and Afghan women spoke and Ms. Thunberg continued her speech, noting that “those in power weren’t listening,” a man came on stage, interrupted her and grabbed the microphone.
“I came here for a climate demonstration, not for a political opinion,” he said before being led out to boos from the crowd.
Greta Thunberg speaks at the March for Climate and Justice to demand political change ahead of the elections in Amsterdam, Netherlands, November 12, 2023. After the Palestinian and Afghan women spoke, Ms. Thunberg resumed her speech, noting that “those in power did not do this.” “I was listening,” a man came on stage, interrupting her and grabbing the microphone . “I came here because of a climate demonstration, not because of a political opinion,” he said before being led away to booing spectators
Ms Thunberg then grabbed the microphone back and repeated: “Calm down.”
After a short pause, she began chanting: “No climate justice on occupied land.”
The man’s identity was unclear. He wore a jacket with the name of a group called Water Natuurlijk, which elects members of Dutch water associations.
Before Ms. Thunberg took the stage, the event was briefly interrupted as a small group of activists at the front of the crowd waved Palestinian flags and chanted pro-Palestinian slogans.
She appeared undeterred and was later seen dancing backstage while a band played.
The incident came after tens of thousands of people marched through the streets of Amsterdam in a mass protest demanding more action to combat climate change just ten days before a national election.
Greta Thunberg spoke to tens of thousands of people gathered in Amsterdam, Netherlands on November 12, 2023. Ms. Thunberg took the microphone back from the man after the encounter. He was led off stage as the crowd expressed their disapproval. An aerial view of the “March for Climate and Justice” led by climate activist Greta Thunberg on November 12, 2023 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Tens of thousands of participants march for climate and justice from Dam Square to Museumplein, led by climate activist Greta Thunberg during the “March for Climate”. and Justice” in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on November 12, 2023 Greta Thunberg takes part in a march for climate and justice in Amsterdam, Netherlands on November 12, 2023. Tens of thousands of participants march for climate and justice from Dam Square to Museumplein, led by climate activist Greta Thunberg during the “March for Climate and Justice” in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on November 12, 2023 Tens of thousands of participants march for climate and justice from Dam Square to Museumplein led by climate activist Greta Thunberg during the “March for Climate and Justice” in Amsterdam, Netherlands on November 12, 2023
Organizers said 70,000 people took part in the march, calling it the largest climate protest in the Netherlands.
Carrying placards reading “Our house is on fire,” “In 2050: Dad, what are trees?” and “Climate justice now,” demonstrators crowded into Amsterdam’s central square and made their way through the streets.
Ms Thunberg was among those walking through the historic heart of the Dutch capital.
Political leaders, including former European Union climate chief Frans Timmermans, who is now leading a center-left two-party bloc in the election campaign, later addressed the crowd in a square behind the landmark Rijksmuseum.
“We live in a time of crises, all of which are the result of the political decisions made.” “It has to be done, and it can be done differently,” the organizer, Climate Crisis Coalition, said in a statement.
While the coalition included the youth movement Fridays for Future, the demonstrators were of all ages and included a large group of medical professionals in white coats carrying a banner that read “Climate Crisis = Health Crisis.”
“I am a pediatrician. “I’m committed to children’s rights here,” said Laura Sonneveld. “Children are the first to be affected by climate change.”
Combating climate change is one of the key policies of political parties running in the November 22 general election.
“It’s time for us to protest against government decisions,” said Margje Weijs, a Spanish teacher and youth coach. “I hope this influences the election.”