Climate activist Greta Thunberg was briefly interrupted today by a man who approached her on stage, after she invited a Palestinian and an Afghan woman to speak at a climate protest in Amsterdam.
Ms Thunberg was talking to a crowd of tens of thousands when she asked the women to join her on the stage.
‘As a climate justice movement, we have to listen to the voices of those who are being oppressed and those who are fighting for freedom and for justice. Otherwise, there can be no climate justice without international solidarity,’ she said.
After the Palestinian and Afghan woman, Sahar Shirzad, spoke and Ms Thunberg resumed her speech, noting that ‘the people in power have not been listening,’ a man came onto the stage and interrupted her, grabbing the mic.
‘I have come here for a climate demonstration, not a political view,’ he said, before he was ushered off as crowd members booed.
Greta Thunberg speaking at The March for Climate and Justice to demand political change before the elections in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on November 12, 2023
After the Palestinian and Afghan women spoke and Ms Thunberg resumed her speech, noting that ‘the people in power have not been listening’ a man came onto the stage and interrupted her, grabbing the mic
‘I have come here for a climate demonstration, not a political view,’ he said, before he was ushered off as crowd members booed
Ms Thunberg then grabbed the mic back and repeated: ‘Calm down.’
After a brief pause she started chanting: ‘No climate justice on occupied land.’
The man’s identity was not clear. He was wearing a jacket with the name of a group called Water Natuurlijk that has elected members in Dutch water boards.
Before Ms Thunberg took to 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 behind the stage as a band played.
The incident came after tens of thousands of people marched through the streets of Amsterdam calling for more action to tackle climate change in a mass protest just 10 days before a national election.
Greta Thunberg addressed tens of thousands of people who gathered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on November 12, 2023
Ms Thunberg grabbed the mic back from the man after the encounter
He was ushered off the stage as crowd members expressed their disapproval
An aerial view of the ‘March for Climate and Justice’ led by climate activist Greta Thunberg in Amsterdam, the 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, the 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, the Netherlands on November 12, 2023
Greta Thunberg takes part during a march for climate and justice in Amsterdam, The 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, the Netherlands on November 12, 2023
Organisers claimed that 70,000 people took part in the march and called it the biggest climate protest in the Netherlands.
Carrying placards reading: ‘Our house is on fire’, ‘In 2050: Daddy, what are trees?’, and ‘Climate Justice Now,’ demonstrators packed into Amsterdam’s central square and set off 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 now leads a centre-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 choices that have been made. It has to be done and it can be done differently,’ the organiser, Climate Crisis Coalition, said in a statement.
While the coalition included the Fridays for Future youth movement, protesters were all ages and included a large contingent of medics in white coats carrying a banner emblazoned with the text: ‘Climate crisis = health crisis’.
‘I am a paediatrician. I’m here standing up for the rights of children,’ said Laura Sonneveld. ‘Children are the first to be affected by climate change.’
Tackling climate change is one of the key policy areas for political parties contesting the November 22 general election.
‘It is time for us to protest about government decisions,’ said Margje Weijs, a Spanish teacher and youth coach. ‘I hope this influences the election.’