Greta Thunberg denies charges of public order violation

Climate activist Greta Thunberg has attended court to plead not guilty to a public order offence following her arrest at a protest in London. The 20-year-old Swedish national was detained during a demonstration outside the InterContinental Hotel in Mayfair, where oil executives were meeting. Thunberg, along with four other activists, denied breaching Section 14 of the Public Order Act 1986. Due to concerns over threats she has reportedly received, Thunberg's address was not read out in court. The protesters have been granted unconditional bail and will face trial at City of London Magistrates' Court on 1 February. Outside the court, Greenpeace and Fossil Free London protesters held banners and chanted slogans calling for polluters to pay. Following the hearing, Thunberg was surrounded by a large crowd of photographers and video journalists as she left the venue. The protest on 17 October was subject to conditions imposed by the Metropolitan Police to prevent disruption to the community, hotel, and guests. Several demonstrators were arrested after failing to move from the road onto the pavement.