Australian climate activist gaoled in Copenhagen
Australian climate activist detained three weeks in Copenhagen gaol
Danish authorities detained an Australian, Natasha Verco, for over three weekd since the Copenhagen climate conference. She was detained in the Vestre Faengsel prison, to appear in court in Copenhagen on Monday January 4th 2010.
Natasha was arrested on Sunday December 13th, three days before the major ‘Reclaim Power’ protest during the United Nations climate negotiations. She is being charged with “incitement” for her role in organising the climate justice protest.
Holly Creenaune, spokesperson for Friends of the Earth Sydney, says, “Natasha should be released, and charges against her dropped. Three weeks gaol for a protest she could not even attend is obscene. We already gave the Danes a princess – give us back our protestor!
Tadzio Mueller, a German arrested alongside Natasha, said on his release from custody, “The Danish government’s appallingly disproportionate reaction, the political policing used to gaol some 1800 activists for nothing at all; using tear gas, pepper spray, baton charges and mass preemptive arrests; sets a precedent dangerous not only for Denmark, but for the future of the world.” A statement from the prisoners is available at www.climate-justice-action.org/
Mrs Verco is a long-time advocate for social change in Sydney, Australia. She is a graduate of the University of Technology honors program in Social Inquiry; a founder of Rural Australians for Refugees; and a co-founder of Friends of the Earth Sydney.
A direct appeal to the Danish Consul General in Sydney, Michael Hansen, was launched today. Friends of the Earth Sydney will hand-deliver a personal letter to Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark, who comes from Australia. Friends and supporters of Mrs Verco will gather at the Danish Consulate General to raise their concerns directly in person.
The letter asserts the right to protest as a fundamental human right, and requests the charges against Mrs Verco be dropped and that she be immediately released so that she can continue her important work for climate justice. Friends of the Earth Australia demands all climate justice activists be released immediately.
Media contacts
In Sydney: Holly Creenaune 0417 682 541 or Natalie Lowrey 0421 226 200
In Copenhagen: Climate Justice Action: +45 5066 9028 or media@climate-justice-action.org
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