Mass Arrests and Standing with Africa

SUNDAY 13th - Mass arrests
On Sunday we try to rest. Some of us need a rest more than others. At the morning meeting at the Teglholmen warehouse I find out a little more about what happened on the march. According to Danish and British newspapers the between 800 - 1000 people were arrested and detained for marching peacefully yesterday. Tomorrow the last few Young Friends of the Earth Ireland crew will arrive in Copenhagen, making our group up to eleven.

 

 

 

 

MONDAY 14th - We stand with Africa
I hate the misuse of the words 'flash mob'. They appear inappropriately all over the place to describe dancing, conga lines, two people sneezing at the same time, you name it, and it's a flash mob. But if I can allow myself to misuse it just once it would be today, when Young Friends of the Earth flash mobbed Eamon Ryan. In the big atrium of the Bella Centre Friends of the Earth International delegates and allies were dotted throughout the crowds poised to whip their blue ponchos from their pockets and start a simultaneous action in solidarity with the African group. I have one hand on my hidden poncho and the other on my rolled up sign which says Don't Kill Kyoto targets. Eamon taps me on the shoulder and says hello. Pleasantries are quickly drowned out by clapping and then chanting as the flash action begins at the far end of the atrium and ripples towards us. In the panic of the moment I Eamon agrees to wear a spare poncho that I have in my hand and the whole atrium seems to chant together - 'WE STAND WITH AFRICA - KYOTO TARGETS NOW...WE STAND WITH AFRICA...". Minutes the latter the mob is silenced and disperses, while Nnimmo is surrounded by TV cameras and photographers to talk about the action. Before I know it, Eamon's got the poncho off as if it never happened. He hides the conspicuous blue plastic behind his back as an Asian delegate nabs a photo. I know our green ministers want climate justice - we get glimpses of it like this one. They need to come out and say so within the EU today and tomorrow - before it's too late.