by Robin Henry
for The Sunday Times [UK]
December 12, 2009
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.”
Continued at The Sunday Times.
