An incredible day - 100,000 people in the streets of Copenhagen marching for Action on Climate Justice. The World’s leaders cannot ignore this kind of demonstration. The people want action on climate change now!
Among the marchers were many, many Canadians including all of our CUPE delegates to COP 15 and a Council of Canadians delegation led by Chairperson Maude Barlow with our “Climate Justice is Water Justice Banner”. Many of us were outfitted with posters declaring Stephen Harper a climate criminal. So many Canadians here in Copenhagen this week want to make it clear to the rest of the world that Stephen Harper does not speak for us.
News reports seem to focus on the group of people arrested, and are downplaying the numbers. But we were there. It was peaceful, it was moving and it was the biggest demonstration of collective will I have ever witnessed. Photos don’t lie. Check out the pictures on line at the Globe and Mail.
Meanwhile back at the negotiations, Canada is still pushing to kill Kyoto and start over with a more limited framework agreement. But, on a brighter note, labour activists have succeeded in keeping the text for just transition alive in the agreement meaning there will be recognition for job creation for displaced workers in the final agreement.
More tomorrow….
Pam Beattie in Copenhagen