The disruption came after Ms Thunberg invited a Palestinian woman and an Afghan woman to speak
Controversy erupted at an event in Amsterdam on Sunday when a man snatched a microphone from climate activist Greta Thunberg. The disturbance came after Ms Thunberg invited a Palestinian woman and an Afghan woman to speak, prompting the man to accuse her of bringing politics into the event.
Before inviting the Palestinian and Afghan women to the stage, Ms. Thunberg said in her address to a huge crowd: “As a climate justice movement, we must listen to the voices of those who are oppressed and who are fighting for freedom and for justice . Otherwise there can be no climate justice without international solidarity.”
After the women spoke and Ms. Thunberg continued her speech, a man stormed the stage and expressed his dissatisfaction.
“I came here for a climate demonstration, not for a political opinion,” he said as he snatched the microphone from Ms. Thunberg.
Security then escorted the man off the stage while Ms Thunberg told him to “calm down”.
She was later heard chanting “No climate justice on occupied land” along with the crowd.
#GretaThunberg is interrupted at a climate rally after speaking about it #Palestine The crowd begins chanting, “Let them speak.” pic.twitter.com/XdrdPD4qyW
— Arthur Morgan (@ArthurM40330824) November 13, 2023
Afghan woman Sahar Shirzad told the Associated Press that Ms. Thunberg generously allowed them to share the stage with her: “Basically she gave us her time.”
Palestinian activist Sara Rachdan, also on stage, spoke about “death and grief” in Gaza.
The incident came after a massive climate march in Amsterdam, where tens of thousands of people marched through the streets calling for increased efforts to combat climate change.
Organizers said 70,000 people took part in the march, calling it the largest climate protest ever in the Netherlands.
Greta Thunberg was also among those who strolled through the historic heart of the Dutch capital, adding to the large turnout for the event.
Source : www.ndtv.com