Greta Thunberg has been charged with disobeying police orders during a climate protest in Malmo on June 19.  

According to the public prosecutor, the 20-year-old activist refused to leave the protest site despite police orders to do so. In response to Thunberg’s act of civil disobedience, he may be fined.

In this case, Thunberg was participating in a demonstration organized by the environmental activist group “Ta tillbaka framtiden” (Reclaim the Future). During the protest, protestors blocked the entrance and exit of Malmo’s harbor to protest fossil fuel use. In order to halt the oil trucks’ movement, Thunberg and other activists physically obstructed them.

“We choose to stop fossil fuel infrastructure, not be bystanders,” Thunberg said in a statement. “We are reclaiming the future.” Her action reflects her ongoing commitment to the fight against climate change, a commitment that began with the “School Strike for the Climate” outside the Swedish parliament at the age of 15 years old.

Thunberg faces trial at the end of July after being charged with disobedience to law enforcement by Swedish prosecutors. Typically, disobedience charges carry fines, although they may carry a six-month prison sentence in rare cases.

Although Thunberg and other activists are being charged, the underlying issue of climate change remains. The media team for Thunberg has not yet responded to inquiries about the charges.

As a result of Thunberg’s activism, thousands of individuals around the world are demanding stronger action to address the pressing climate crisis. Despite criticism and opposition from some leaders and politicians, she continues to advocate for change.

Civil disobedience is a complicated topic and there are tensions between activism and enforcing the law. Thunberg’s charges demonstrate these tensions. It is likely that both supporters and critics will closely watch the outcome of the trial, since it could have implications for future protests and the activism of young people everywhere.