Friends of the Earth among activists barred from Copenhagen conference centre

[Turborama]

Source: Guardian

Friends of the Earth international, Avaaz, TckTckTck and other mainstream environment coalition groups were refused entry to the Copenhagen conference centre this morning, without being given any reason.

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Hundreds of non-government groups are to be individually banned from the centre or have their numbers slashed from tomorrow to make way for world leaders. Only 1,000 people from civil society will be allowed in to the conference hall tomorrow, and 90 on Friday.

This has provoked dismay with many delegates seeing it as a deliberate attempt to muzzle public voices and criticism of world leaders.

Andy Atkins, the director of Friends of the Earth UK, said: "We understand there has been unhappiness at some of the actions inside, but no formal explanation has been given. It is completely out of order. People are outraged at what is going on. Big mainstream organisations are being muzzled. This is madness."

Around 50 members of the group staged a sit-in at the inner lobby of the Bella centre. Friends of the Earth international is the largest international environmental federation in the world with groups in more than 70 countries.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/dec/16/friends-of-the-earth-barred-bella-centre

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http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x413635">Friends Of The Earth Delegation Get Expelled From COP15 During An Interview With Amy Goodman (Video With Transcript)

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