Danish police arrest 150 activists as world leaders arrive in Copenhagen

It is not yet clear what the 150 have been arrested for or whether they are part of the Reclaim Power event. Around 4,000 people have set off as part of a “blue bloc”, one of several groups that are converging on the summit from different directions. The groups marching on the centre hope to be joined by more than a thousand delegates from inside the centre in a show of solidarity, but even mainstream groups such as Friends of the Earth were barred from entering the conference centre this morning.

Activist Alexander Lassithiotakis said, “I hope that lots of NGOs are going to come out and join us because this summit is just letting Africa die. I hope it will be lovely, and big and lots of people will come to join us and show solidarity. But I’m a bit anxious too, I feel as if we could get arrested just walking down the road.”

Another marcher, Mette Hermensen, 27, from Copenhagen, said: “Hopefully it will be a massive peaceful demonstration. I hope the excluded NGOs will participate, and show the people inside that this is a broad movement.”

Unverified reports suggest three people have already been arrested this morning at Tårnby station folllowing yesterday’s arrest by plain clothes policeman of high-profile activist Tadzio Mueller – a spokesman and organiser for today’s event. The police are on high alert for today’s protest, with officers out in large numbers with police dogs, rows of police vans along the side of the march route and police helicopters overhead. Officers are also stopping and searching people, including protestors taking part in the Reclaim Power event.

The activists have pledged to both congregate outside the centre and also attempt to breach the building. At a CJN meeting last night a spokesperson said: “There is definitely going to be an attempt to get in. We must not be intimidated by the police. We must be more numerous than they were expecting.” The organisers are hoping their numbers will be swelled by NGO delegates who are having their accredited head-count reduced to make space for world leaders who are arriving with their entourages. Reports this morning suggest 300 people inside the centre, including NGO delegates and scientists, have come out to join the protest.

Lidy Nacpil of Jubilee South, one of the large social movements taking part in the march, said: “We hope to make people understand that there is great urgency here that the leaders do what they must, but that if they don’t people will continue to struggle to change the system. Many of us have come to the conclusion that nothing will come from these talks. But the struggle will not stop here.”

There is also growing criticism at the way Danish police have handled demonstrations in Copenhagen, including arrests of over a thousand people at the weekend and the use of tear gas in Christiana this week. At a meeting last night organised by a coalition that included the Danish socialist party Unity List and Danish NGO ATTAC there were calls for a demo to protest against the treatment of the demonstrators. While other Danish political parties have supported the policing, Unity List has been outspoken in its criticism.