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Climate Camp Claims Victory as Bishopsgate Occupied for 12 hours

Climate Camper | 02.04.2009 12:50 | G20 London Summit | Climate Chaos | Ecology | Globalisation

Yesterday around 2000 protesters set up a Camp for Climate Action in the
middle of the Square Mile, closing a major road for 12 hours. The Camp was
located outside the European Climate Exchange on Bishopsgate, to protest
against the G20's plans to use deeply flawed carbon trading mechanisms to
tackle climate change.

(See  http://www.climatecamp.org.uk//node/552 for some beautiful pictures of the Camp.)

As planned, hundreds of protesters “swooped” from all over the City at
12.30pm and set up tents, bunting and bicycles in order to reclaim a large
portion of the financial district. Throughout the day there was a
programme of workshops on themes such as the absurdity of carbon trading,
the history of social movements and alternative economic models, whilst
pedal powered sound systems and live bands provided entertainment, a
kitchen provided hundreds of meals and a farmers market gave away organic
vegetables.

One camper, Jessica Harward said: “The atmosphere was creative and joyful.
This part of London is usually a major part of the climate problem,
through the funding of fossil fuels and disastrous carbon trading schemes.
For 12 hours we turned it into part of the climate solution.”

Despite assurances made on Tuesday morning by Commander Broadhurst to
climate campers in the office of David Howarth, MP, at 7pm on Wednesday
riot police violently attacked the camp, injuring many peaceful campers
and bystanders who were not allowed to leave the area. Despite this
incursion, the atmosphere at the Camp remained calm and happy until around
midnight, when riot police again moved in and aggressively dispersed the
Camp.

Another camper, Dave Spencer, said “We were here to expose carbon trading
as a financial fraud which has nothing to do with climate change. Our
success in turning Bishopsgate into an eco-camp has clearly rattled the
authorities, who once again have used unnecessary force against us. We
won't be deterred though – climate change is the most urgent issue in the
world, and our movement is growing stronger all of the time.”

Climate Camper
- Homepage: http://www.climatecamp.org.uk

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