Climate Change Conference - demonstrations

Clashes in Copenhagen on global protest day

Article published on the 2009-12-12 Latest update 2009-12-14 17:33 TU

Demonstrators gather in Copenhagen
(Photo: Reuters)

Protestors clashed with police on the streets of Copenhagen today, as thousands marched to demand tougher action on climate change from world leaders at the Climate Change Conference. On a global day of action protests were planned in 130 cities around the world.

The demonstrations in the Danish capital are part of a co-ordinated movement to mark the Global Day of Action on Climate Change.

Police claimed that 30,000 turned out in Copenhagen, where South African Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu and former Irish President Mary Robinson will join a vigil.

Some demonstratore threw bricks and smashed windows with riot police responding.

The march was organised by a coalition of environmental groups, development organisations, political parties, trade unions and civil society.

Danish police are out in force in Copenhagen as thousands gather to rally in favour of an agreement at the internationalBetween 60,000 and 80,000 are expected in Copenhagen,

Protesters form the words "Safe climate Do it!" on the Princes Bridge over Yarra River in Melbourne
(Photo: Reuters)

"We're sending out the message that there needs to be a pretty radical change in our political and economic system if we're going to deal with climate change," says Kevin Smith of Climate Justice Now, at the Copenhagen rally.

"Any agreement that comes out that's so heavily based on failed market-based mechanisms such as carbon trading and carbon off-setting is going to be a failure."

Smith told RFI that those most affected by climate change are "being completely marginalised" at the talks.

Students show their handprints in support of the global day of action in Quezon City, Metro Manila
(Photo: Reuters)

"The people taking place officially at the talks largely conduct their business behind closed doors, and aren't really interested in what the voices of critical NGOs and people have to say - and that's part of the problem."

On Friday authorities rounded up dozens of activists whom they claimed might be a threat to public order.

Demonstrations are taking place on Saturday from Kabul to the Arctic Circle. Australia and Asia kicked off the day:

• Australia - 50,000 joined protests around the country, according to organisers, wearing sky-blue shoelaces in a call for a strong and binding agreement in Copenhagen;
• Hong Kong - some demonstators dressed as pandas, others wore rings declaring, "Climate Change Kills. Act Now. Save Lives."
• Indonesia - a rally in front of the US embassy in Jakarta called for help for developing nations to reduce greenhouse gases;
• The Philippines - students staged a three-hour demonstration outside the Manila city council offices.

On Friday the Group of 77 developing nations dismissed as "insignificant" a European Union promise to pay 7.2 billion euros over three years to help them tackle global warming.