France bans twin climate marches

TWO marches that had been planned to take place either side of the COP21 climate talks in Paris can no longer go ahead, the French government has said.

Authorities said in a statement that, following the terror attacks, “the government has decided not to authorise climate marches planned in public places in Paris and other French cities.”

The statement added that events held in enclosed spaces or places where security can easily be ensured can go ahead.

Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, who is to chair the climate summit, said, “in the current context, security requirements take priority”.

Organisers had hoped that the protest marches, on November 29 and December 12, would attract hundreds of thousands of people - but said that they accepted the government’s decision ‘with regret’.

They were hoping to find ‘new and imaginative ways’ to demonstrate, they said.

And they have urged people around the world to join worldwide events as part of a Global Climate March on November 28 and 29. A total 2173 events in at least 150 countries around the world are planned for that weekend.

Emma Ruby-Sachs, deputy director of campaign group Avaaz, said: "It's even more important for people everywhere to march on the weekend of November 29 on behalf of those who can't, and show that we are more determined than ever to meet the challenges facing humanity with hope, not fear."

Avaaz has released a promotional video for its marches around the world.

The COP21 talks run from November 30 to December 11 in Paris, and are due to be attended by about 40,000 delegates, journalists and lobbyists. AFP has reported that an estimated 5,000 security officials would have been needed to police the Paris march the day before the talks start.

Photo:Rog 01