2009-12-18

Soli-Demonstration für die Kopenhagener Klimagefangenen in Berlin

Seit dem vergangenen Samstag hat die dänische Polizei über 1.700 Menschen festgenommen, Demonstrationen mit Schlagstock und Tränengas aufgelöst und sogar auf dem Konferenzgelände auf Konferenz-Delegierte eingeprügelt. PressesprecherInnen der Proteste wie Tadzio Müller, Stine Gry Jonassen und Tanni Nyboe wurden von der Straße weg verhaftet und sind immer noch in Haft.

Für Fragen: Hannah Schuster, FelS: 0157-84101195; www.fels-berlin.de

Untenstehend dokumentieren wir eine PM des Journals Turbulence (http://turbulence.org.uk), welches eine internationale Petition koordiniert. Delegationen in Berlin, London und San Francisco haben bereits dänische Botschaften aufgesucht.

Turbulence
Press Release
Copenhagen, December 18 2009

Campaign for the Release of Tadzio Mueller and Other Climate Prisoners in Copenhagen Continues: 4,000 Signatories to Petition; Delegations to Danish Embassies in Berlin, London and San Francisco

This morning, delegations visited the Danish embassies in Berlin and London to demand the release of Tadzio Mueller and other climate prisoners in Copenhagen. A similar delegation visited the Danish Embassy in San Francisco yesterday. The Berlin and London delegations handed over the almost 4,000 signatures so far collected on an online petition. Tadzio Mueller is a spokesperson for Climate Justice Action. At least two other spokespeople belonging to the same network have also been arrested.

The Berlin delegation consisted of Mona Bricke (climate activist with Gegenstrom Berlin and UN Climate Conference delegate), Katja Kipping (Member of the German Bundestag and Deputy Leader of the Left Party, Germany), Corinna Genschel (Committee for Basic Rights and Democracy), and Ben Trott (editor, Turbulence: Ideas for Movement). The delegation met with a representative of the Embassy, expressed their concerns, and hand delivered the petition.

The climate activist Mona Bricke said, “Tadzio and I were both accredited for the UN Climate Conference, through the organisation A SEED. Tadzio was arrested after a press conference inside the Bella Centre, and A SEED’s entire accreditation was revoked, similarly to that of the complete delegation of Friends of the Earth. When on Wednesday 300 UNFCCC delegates attempted to leave the Conference Centre to join the People’s Assembly outside, they were forcefully prevented from doing so by both Danish police and UN guards. I was shocked by the degree of violence that was used against these people, whom the UNFCCC had accredited to take part in their conference.”

The London delegation were met by the London Metropolitan Police and a security guard. They were denied entry to the building and Embassy officials refused to meet with them, despite prior notice having been given. The petition was read out in full and left with the security guard. David Harvie, also of Turbulence and who was part of the London delegation, said, “The refusal of any member of diplomatic staff to meet us or even allow us across their threshold was disrespectful. In a small way it mirrors the attempts of the Danish government to suppress free expression in Copenhagen and of the United Nations to silence those demanding climate justice inside the COP process.”

Katja Kipping of the German Left Party said, “I demand the immediate release of Tadzio Mueller and all those still in custody. I am especially worried about the use of preventive arrest. This allows the police to act arbitrarily. 1,700 preventive arrests show that people’s right to public assembly is being effectively contested, and, in Tadzio’s case, that the organisation of legitimate protest is being criminalised.”
Ben Trott, who edits the magazine Turbulence: Ideas for Movement with Tadzio Mueller said, “Tadzio has been arrested for advocating civil disobedience. Yet it is obvious that civil disobedience has an important role to play to in the kinds of far-reaching change needed to properly and justly respond to the climate crisis. Al Gore and NASA’s James Hansen have pretty much said the same thing. Either release Tadzio and the others, or arrest Al Gore.”

Für Nachfragen bei Climate Justice Action (in Kopenhagen):

• Alexis Passadakis,0045-41682808
• Philip Pauls, 0045-50112038

Source: email