Thaindian News

Copenhagen, Dec 13 (DPA) Tens of thousands of people have demonstrated in the Danish capital for speedy action by the UN climate conference to halt global warming.
The procession wound its way from the Folketing, the parliament, to the conference venue, the massive Bella Centre outside the city centre.

On arrival at the site, the protesters presented a list of demands to Connie Hedegaard, a Danish cabinet minister serving as president of the conference, that runs until Dec 18.

“You are right,” she told the crowd. “We have talked enough already, and now it’s time to take action.”

Hours earlier, police took more than 900 demonstrators into “temporary custody” after a group of troublemakers hurled stones and fireworks at the officers, injuring one policeman in the face.

An estimated 100,000 climate activists from around the world took part in the protest, which ended by early evening.

Smaller solidarity demonstrations also took place in Greece, Spain, Germany and more than 100 other countries.

Former Danish supermodel Helena Christensen appealed to US President Barack Obama to lead a far-reaching pact when he comes to the UN climate summit at the end of next week.

“The United States must recognize the huge influence they have over what can happen in climate protection,” she told the rally Saturday in the Danish capital.

Environment ministers, heads of government and other representatives of 191 states are due in Copenhagen next week to sign a Protocol on limiting greenhouse gases.

“How long do the heads of state want to sit back and watch how people are dying where we are because of climate change,” said singer Angelique Kidjou from the West African nation of Benin.

Despite the arrests, police said the rally was generally peaceful.

The protesters demanded a far-reaching climate accord and large-scale transfers from rich countries to help poor ones adapt to climate change.

More than 5,000 officers were on duty to guard against violent outbursts. The Danish parliament previously passed special measures for punishing crimes committed during the climate summit.

Late Friday, police arrested 75 protesters in advance of the demo.

The 75 included 13 Germans, and were allegedly part of a 250-strong unauthorised protest attempting blockade companies they believed were responsible for contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.

The Copenhagen conference began circulating official drafts of an accord Friday, looking for a reduction in greenhouse gases for industrialised and developing nations.

In Brussels, EU officials said the drafts were “not adequate” and will have to be toughened.