We just began our seventh hour here in the Bella Centre, sitting-in until world leaders achieve a fair, ambituous, and binding treaty. The past few hours have been incredibly positive as party members, NGO members, and UN observers have come by to meet us and ensure our wellbeing by offering us food, water, and blankets. Members of party delegations have walked by giving us a thumbs up, and several climate A-listers have walked by to shake our hands and congratulate us on our bravery.
We have been approached by media from all over the world…let us take you all through the discussions we have been having over the past few hours:
How long are you planning on being here?
Until we reach a fair, ambitious, and legally-binding treaty. The security has said that if we plan on staying, then they will see us in the morning. Hopefully, we will not have to wait too much longer.
Do you think that it can happen?
It can and it must happen. Heads of state and heads of government are going to be coming together to discuss climate change, so this is the space to achieve the fair, ambituous, and legally-binding treaty we are asking for. There are many countries that are very capable of reducing their emissions and they need to, and they can. They just need to get here and show the political will to reduce emissions, to safeguard people’s lives and livelihoods, and to show that the UN can come to an agreement.
Who are you here with?
We are here as young people from all over the world. We are reading out names from a petition of 11 million people who also want a fair, ambituous, and legally-binding treaty. We are all here in solidarity.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us in this effort. Other than dropping off food and water and other lovely treats, we have been emailed, tweeted, and blogged about. We have had a crew of bloggers, writers, and photographers convene behind us in order to help get our message out. Everyone has stepped up to help support and we are constantly being asked if there is anything we need.
Some other successes:
- Someone made a facebook group called “I will stand up while youth sit down in Copenhagen”
- We are the main story on German television
- Al Gore sent a message of support
- NDP leader Jack Layton came by to say hello to some of the Canadians and international youth sitting-in
- John Kerry came by and shook our hands
- Head of AOSIS gave us an awesome shout-out
Thats all for now…more updates to come. Any questions? Ask us now and we will try to get back to you as soon as possible!
On another special note: The amount of civil society that has been allowed into the conference centre has already been restricted significantly. As we come to the high-levels of the negotiations, civil society’s access will be further restricted from 1500 participants to 300. The voice of civil society is being increasingly muted. But the voice must be heard loud and clear: We need a fair, ambituous, and legally binding climate deal now. There is no time to delay.
You guys are doing amazing work – keep it up!
this is so cool, its like being there…! Keep up the good and extremely important work!
Y’all rock for staying strong and refusing to accept anything short of a FAB deal. This is the most inspired I’ve been in forever. We’re behind you back home — hang in there for climate justice!
Police forces now exist to protect the wealthy from justice. We must stop them being armed with the latest in global weapons or it is only a matter of time before they will be used on us.
Thanks for the update, those of us in the States are watching and hoping with you. We are standing up while you sit down. Keep holding out, I hope you all have the nourishment you need. You’re nourishing spirits around the world tonight. Thank you.
Thank you! Sending lots of hugs and energy from the U.S.
You’re great, as I already have said, but you know what? I’m going to Bella, with warm clothes in several layers, and will sit outside during the night. I hope others might join.
I stand up while you sit down. Thank you for delivering our message to the heart of the Bella Center. Know that every one of the 11 million people you’re listing off are standing behind you and supporting your efforts!
really awesome…extending lovepeace to all…rock and shake the meeting with youth power!
Good luck to all of you! Keep up the good work.Warm wishes to you.
thank you for the updates! so many of us are with you, supporting you and grateful for your efforts. a local group in my region hung banners over a nearby highway today, and held a rally at our federal Minister’s office, demanding accountability. I’m ashamed of Canada’s position but I know it does not represent even a fraction of Canadians here and over in Copenhagen. Thank you to all the people all over the world who are focusing their energy so intensely on one issue, in one place, towards one vision of a better future. “We shall overcome…”
Thank you for sharing your view with us and with the world. Harper doesn’t make me proud to be Canadian, but the youth who sat with you today do. I will stand up while you sit-in for justice.
To the Youth activists at the peaceful sit-in.
You are amazing, courageous and filled with the truth. While you sit for climate change, I send you my love and best wishes and I will, on this issue, continue to email and write letters everyday to as many people and groups as I can! Pease be with you. Laara WilliamSen
Hi there, glad to see such a wonderful action inside the center. I am here in the Bella Center and would love to do an interview (for dissertation research) with some of those who participated yesterday. If anyone made it in today or could meet later this week, please email me at smg.justice@gmail.com – Shannon Gibson, Global Justice Ecology Project and the University of Miami, FL, USA. Thanks!
I’m following all the action on the Council of Canadians connections, as well as what the Canadian networks serve up, and I’m getting REALLY EXCITED as things heat up in Copenhagen!!! Keep it up, all you heroes, and shut this fake garbage DOWN!!!!!
Love you guys +++++++++++