American teen activist comes out in support of Disha Ravi amid toolkit row

After Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg extended support to Disha Ravi, who has been arrested in the toolkit case, American climate activist Alexandria Villaseñor also came in support of the 21-year-old, who is part of her Fridays for Future movement.

Taking to Twitter on Saturday, the 15-year-old American activist said, “I know Disha Ravi and she is an amazing activist and awesome human! The right to peaceful protest is a human right and we will not be silenced. Please join me in supporting Disha #StandWithDishaRavi.”

Her tweet comes a day after Greta Thunberg responded to the arrest of Disha Ravi for the first time on Friday.

In a tweet, Greta Thunberg said, “Freedom of speech and the right to peaceful protest and assembly are non-negotiable human rights. These must be a fundamental part of any democracy.”

While using the hashtag “StandWithDishaRavi”, Swedish teen climate activist Greta Thunberg also attached a statement issued by the Indian chapter of Fridays for Future. It is important to note that Greta Thunberg had posted the ‘toolkit’ on Twitter that resulted in the arrest of Disha Ravi and non-bailable warrants against two others.

The Indian chapter of the movement launched by Greta Thunberg in 2018 said in a series of tweets on Friday, “Consistent with our mission, we aim to peacefully and proactively continue to advocate for our environment.”

Fridays for Future activist Disha Ravi (21) was arrested by Delhi Police from her Bengaluru residence earlier this month in connection with the ‘toolkit’ case.

The Delhi Police said Disha Ravi, along with co-accused Shantanu Muluk and Nikita Jacob were the creators and collaborators of a public document aimed at ‘tarnishing India’s image’ in the backdrop of the farmers’ agitation through ‘social media strikes’ and ‘Twitter storms’.