30,000 activists expected for climate conference

Friday, 31 July 2009 11:17

As many as 30,000 activists are expected at the Copenhagen climate conference (COP15) in December, according to the activists themselves. A network known as Climate Justice Action, consisting of climate activists, anti-globalists, left-wing radicals and other demonstrators, will attempt to put a physical stop to the political negotiations. Activists claim they will use “civil disobedience and no intentional personal harm” towards this aim. 

Demonstrators plan to block Copenhagen Airport, Bella Center (the conference venue) and area coal power plants, reportedly using ‘troops’ from countries such as Bangladesh. “There are plans to open the summit and turn it into a summit of the people,” says activist spokesperson Mads Kissow. He admits that certain participants are likely to take an aggressive stance toward police. WWF Denmark calls the threats to storm Bella Center “very serious”, stating that “confrontations do not benefit the climate cause.” Copenhagen Police declined comment.

(Source: Berlingske Tidende, Copenhagen)