“Denmark is losing its reputation for being a good world citizen.” – Naomi Klein
Danish police arrest 150 demonstrators as world leaders arrive at Copenhagen conference. Mainstream groups such as Friends of the Earth have been barred from the conference centre (“Every delegate from the international environmental campaign group arrived at the centre this morning to find their badges were no longer valid.”). This follows the highly controversial preventive arrests by Danish police earlier this week, the arrest of a German spokesman for Climate Justice action, police raids on climate campaigners and, lest we forget, a warm welcome for President Mugabe by Danish PM Lars Løkke Rasmussen.
“The Copenhagen conference is fast becoming an international shambles.” – Andy Atkins
For me, I welcomed the incredulity on the BBC news readers’ faces as they interviewed a spokesperson, Henrik Suhr, for the Danish police force, the use of “preventive arrests” and Mr Suhr’s insistence that “if you do not want to be arrested, you should not be demonstrating” (let me draw your attention to the UN’s own Universal Declaration of Rights and, in particular, Articles 19 and 20). The BBC journalists’ reaction were very different to the type of journalism I had grown used to in Denmark in the last decade or so.
And as I’m typing this, a climate deal seems increasingly unlikely.
A true ‘deal’ is unlikely at this point. I’ve been following this as well, and the arrests are a complete travesty. I don’t know what will result – but it is heartening to hear / read (alternative media at least) about the activism going on. Amy Goodman – NY journalist (Democracy Now!) is reporting live from Copenhagen… Some have said NO DEAL will be a better outcome than a BAD DEAL.
You know what, never mind *deletes long post*.
I am just going to say that yeah, the climate deal looks to fall through. Oh well, I guess that was to be expected *shrug*
(Aside: sitting inside when Copenhagen is snowy and dark is very cozy and christmassy :D … here’s hoping everyone is enjoying this time of year and starting to feel the holliday spirit at least just a little bit!)
“If you do not want to be arrested, then you should not be demonstrating.” Don’t worry Henrik, the people have stopped demonstrating. It was just a brief interlude. The Danish are busy out in force and fueling the consumerist nightmare: God Jul!
The arrests in CPH this month were indicative of how Denmark is run. It’s just that usually, one doesn’t see people taking to the streets in force, to demand their rights.
The general population in Denmark live a scared tiny life, working from one traditional festival to the next, rarely breaking with habits and trying to keep their heads down and their children in line, so as to continue what they have always known to be a ‘comfortable’ life. But how can it be that comfortable? Is it really worth it?
We pay high tax, but what real say do we have in how our time and money is spent? Our services are being eroded, we get little in return for the money we earn for the state banks.
Should the need to speak out of line arise, most Danes prefer to do it fleetingly or not at all. Such a controlled and obedient and unquestioning populace. I understand that people are afraid, nobody wants to make a fuss. People don’t want to get arrested, or to be hassled by the authorities. We want a peaceful life, so we take the road of least resistance.
But. I hope that Danes get braver now, and stand up to their ‘authorities’ more. It is now or never.
And climate? As far as the big wigs at COP15 were concerned, who gives a flying fig about the climate? It’s power and money first, business first and as usual. And unless Danes in general are willing to take a cut in their own standards of living, then how can we as hosts to a massive deciding climate summit expect any other nation to modify their plans?
Take a look around. It’s Christmas. Take a look at the money being spent on buying more crap to put under the tree. Mother will make her big fat duck, uncle will sit back and open another bottle of wine. There has been no change here. Father will stuff his face with chocolates. It’s tradition. Why shouldn’t we do what we always do? The children of the family will greedily unwrap another shed load of plastic crap from ‘Fætter BR’. Did we remember to buy the batteries to fit the toys? Will Christmas be all that it should be? We will spend what we can ill afford.
*shrugs*
I personally regret that the COP15 thing came so close to Christmas in Denmark, because it certainly highlights the bleak reality of what really matters here.
So drink up everybody, load another helping onto your heaving plate. This is Denmark, where people are well nourished and meat is cheap. We don’t like strangers coming to live here because they mean we have to share and adapt, and that is certainly not on Denmark’s agenda.
Enjoy.