Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has been accused of “staging” her recent arrest in Germany as a new video has emerged of her hanging out with the police officers.
The video shows Thunberg posing for photos and casually chatting with the cops before they “detain” her in front of the media’s cameras.
The 20-year-old and her cohorts were protesting the planned demolition of the coal mining town Lutzerath in western Germany.
The demolition is to make way for an expanded coal mining operation.
The protests come as Europe battles with an energy crisis sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Thunberg was initially seen smiling as German police picked her up and carried her away.
Corporate media outlets reported that Thunberg was “dragged away” by police.
However, a video later emerged that showed the moments before Thunberg was carried off by police.
The footage showed the police effectively allowing the media to take pictures.
She is seen smiling and posing with the officers while they laugh together.
They then wait for the media cameras to film Thunberg while they removed her from the area.
Several major Twitter accounts claimed that the situation looked “staged” for the media.
WATCH:
LMFAO Greta literally staged being arrested for the cameras.
pic.twitter.com/qGNurU0lrO— Greg Price (@greg_price11) January 17, 2023
Yes, the Greta Thunberg arrest was staged for the establishment media.
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) January 17, 2023
This is how the fake arrest of Greta Thunberg was done.
Mainstream media will show only one photo where policemen are carrying her. Let me know if any mainstream media has covered this video!
— Vijay Patel (@vijaygajera) January 18, 2023
Police denied that the incident was staged, however.
“We would never give ourselves to make such recordings,” a spokesperson for local police told the BBC, denying allegations that Thunberg’s detainment was fake.
“Greta Thunberg was part of a group of activists who rushed towards the ledge,” a police spokesperson told Reuters.
“However, she was then stopped and carried by us with this group out of the immediate danger area to establish their identity.”
“There is no reason to hold them for days,” the spokesperson added.
“It might take hours or they will go immediately.”
Thunberg was eventually released by police.
“Yesterday I was part of a group that peacefully protested the expansion of a coal mine in Germany,” Thunberg tweeted Wednesday.
“We were kettled by police and then detained but were let go later that evening.
“Climate protection is not a crime.”
Yesterday I was part of a group that peacefully protested the expansion of a coal mine in Germany. We were kettled by police and then detained but were let go later that evening.
Climate protection is not a crime.#LuetziBleibt #LuetziLebt #KeepItInTheGround #ClimateJustice
— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) January 18, 2023
Germany has expanded its use of coal to the highest levels in more than half a decade after Russia clamped down on natural gas exports to Europe.
Part of the increased demand for energy comes from France, where nuclear reactor outages have caused issues.
Germany has had to extend “the lives of Germany’s nuclear power facilities” despite the country’s desire to move away from the clean energy source.
During a speech several years ago, Thunberg repeatedly condemned adults by dramatically saying, “how dare you!” as she complained about how the world works.
“My message is that we’ll be watching you,” Thunberg began.
“This is all wrong, I shouldn’t be up here, I should be back in school on the other side of the ocean.
“Yet, you all come to us young people for hope, how dare you.
“You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words and yet I’m one of the lucky ones.
“People are suffering, people are dying.
“Entire ecosystems are collapsing.
“We are in the beginning of a mass extinction and all you can talk about is money and fairytales of eternal economic growth.”
“You are failing us but the young people are starting to understand your betrayal,” she said.
“The eyes of all future generations are upon you and if you choose to fail us I say we will never forgive you.
“We will not let you get away with this.
“Right here, right now, is where we draw the line the world is waking up, and change is coming whether you like it or not.”
READ MORE: Greta Thunberg Calls on Leftists to ‘Overthrow Whole Capitalist System’
