German police deflate Greenpeace air balloon stunt

[maddezmom]

Source: Reuters

HEILIGENDAMM, Germany, June 8 (Reuters) - Police helicopters forced down a Greenpeace hot air balloon on Friday as the environmental group took to the skies to try to get its message across to world leaders at a G8 summit.

Police helicopters enforcing a no-fly zone around the summit in the Baltic resort of Heiligendamm swiftly circled the balloon, creating turbulence and forcing it to land in a field some 20 km (12 miles) from the venue.

"We were hoping to fly in a petition to the G8 leaders demanding binding targets for CO2 cuts," aid Svenja Koch, a spokeswoman for the environmental activists.

"But unfortunately the police forced us down. Their helicopters caused too much turbulence and it wasn't possible to continue."

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L08400219.htm

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A photo provided by Greenpeace shows a hot-air balloon launched by the environmental group near Rostock, northern Germany, Friday June 8, 2007. The protest action against the G-8 summit taking place in nearby Heiligendamm was ended by police only minutes after take off. (AP Photo/Greenpeace, Bente Stachowske) Email Photo Print Photo