Thunberg and the activists were protesting the razing of German village Lützerath for the extension of the Garzweiler coal mine. Police were shown shoving the activists as they forced them out of the area.

For two years, protestors have squatted in the town to prevent the mine's expansion. Over 70 police officers and nine climate activists have been injured in skirmishes while attempting to clear the site. While police have told Bild there were no serious injuries, organizers have refuted their claims, reporting some "critically injured" protesters.

Thunberg has since condemned the actions of the German police and government, who have continued efforts to expand the mine.

“Germany is really embarrassing itself right now,” Thunberg said, via The Hill. “I think it’s absolutely absurd that this is happening the year 2023.”

In the day after Thunberg's viral incident, over 800,000 people have signed a cease-and-desist letter to the CEOs of fossil fuel companies, accusing them of “direct violation of our human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, your duties of care, as well as the rights of Indigenous people."

“This cease-and-desist notice is to demand that you immediately stop opening any new oil, gas or coal extraction sites, and stop blocking the clean energy transition we all so urgently need,” the letter reads. “Big Oil knew for decades that fossil fuels cause catastrophic climate change, misled the public about climate science and risks, [and] deceived politicians with disinformation sowing doubt and causing delay.”

The letter also warned that citizens will take “any and all legal action” against damaging corporations, and that "we will keep protesting in the streets in huge numbers."

Thunberg added in her statement: “The most affected people are clear, the science is clear, we need to keep the carbon in the ground. When governments and corporations are acting like this, are actively destroying the environment, putting countless of people at risk, the people step up.”