Copenhagen summit: 600 arrested at climate change protest

More than 600 people have been arrested at a demonstration against climate change in Copenhagen today.

What started as a peaceful demonstration calling for action on climate change, descended into rioting as hundreds of masked youths threw bricks and smashed windows in the Danish capital.

Police in riot gear arrested between 600 and 700 people, who were cuffed and forced to the ground, before being taken away in vans.

The scenes were in stark contrast to the rest of the colourful demonstration, which had progressed peacefully.

An estimated 30,000 people attended the opening rally, which was part of an international "day of action" to mark the mid-point of the United Nations climate change summit currently being held in Copenhagen.

Police spokesman Rasmus Bernt Skovsgaard said they had taken preventative measures to control activists at the back of the procession

He said: “There was some cobblestone-throwing and at the same time people were putting on masks.”

“We decided to go for preventive detentions to give the peaceful demonstration the possibility to move on.”

Police believe the rioting was started by members of a northern European group known as Black Blocs, who were accused of provoking street violence during a Nato summit in the French city of Strasbourg last April.

About 40 protesters were arrested at a smaller demonstration in Copenhagen on Friday.

Representatives from 190 nations are attending the UN summit, which is scheduled to end on December 18, to negotiate a deal on reducing carbon emissions.

Before today's protest turned violent, protestors marched a four-mile route out of the city to the conference centre were the UN talks are being held.

Some activists dressed as polar bears and panda bears to highlight the environmental impact of climate change, while others carried inflatable snowmen and barriers saying “Act Now!”.

Lin Che, 28, a student from Taiwan, said: “This is the right time to shout out and let leaders know this is serious business for us all. Lets hope they listen.”

Peter and Rowena Mason, from Bridgewater, travelled the 140 miles to Copenhagen on a tandem bike for the demonstration.

Mr Mason, a vet, said: “We’re elated, we got here. We have had huge fun on the tandem - the conditions have been perfect for hunting down the solo bikes in the group.

“The ride turned out to be a perfect excuse to tell people about how climate change is biting hardest in developing countries.

“Many people still don’t realise that climate change affects people in poorer countries worst.”

Mrs Mason, 59, added: “Things are getting worse and it is partly because of our Western way of life.

“We need to do something about it.”

British actress Helen Baxendale and supermodel Helena Christensen were among the celebrities joining the demonstrators.

Christensen said: “They will be very bad politicians if they do not hear us by now.”

timesonline