Greta Thunberg’s climate protest in Amsterdam was interrupted by a man who grabbed her microphone. The man climbed on stage after Thunberg invited Palestinian and Afghan women to speak, sparking slogans of “Palestine will be free”. Thunberg tried to hold onto the mic while the man demanded a focus on climate, not politics. Maroosha Muzaffar reported
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Greta Thunberg encountered an interruption during a protest in Amsterdam, when an unidentified man forcefully seized the microphone from the climate activist. The incident occurred after Thunberg had invited Palestinian and Afghan women to speak at the demonstration on Sunday.
Amidst chants of “Palestine will be free” from the crowd, the man attempted to snatch the microphone away from Thunberg. However, she held onto it, while urging the man to calm down. Eventually, security escorted the man off the stage amid boos from the audience.
Thunberg, after the incident, joined the crowd in chanting “no climate justice on occupied land,” emphasizing the importance of international solidarity and listening to the voices of the oppressed. She stated, “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.”
The man responsible for the interruption was wearing a jacket displaying the name of a political party called Water Natuurlijk. This independent party has elected members in Dutch water boards, according to the Associated Press. However, it remains unclear if the man has any affiliation with the party.
Sahar Shirzad, one of the Afghan women who spoke at the protest, expressed gratitude towards Thunberg for sharing the stage with them, stating, “Basically, she gave her time to us.” The Palestinian woman invited by Thunberg was identified as Sara Rachdan.
During Rachdan’s brief speech, some reports suggest that her microphone was cut off, leading to shouts from the crowd demanding she be allowed to speak. Thunberg has faced criticism for expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people in her social media posts.
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