Erich Pica, president of Friends of the Earth, sends the following messge from Copenhagen, charging that the environmental organization's credentials have been pulled:
"Since Day One of the Copenhagen climate summit, our Friends of the Earth delegation has stood with people from African nations, small island states and other poor countries in demanding climate justice.
"Apparently our advocacy for those who've done the least to cause the climate crisis but will feel its worst impacts was too much for the United Nations to handle. When our representatives arrived at the conference (Wedbesday) morning, they were barred from entering while other non-governmental organizations were still allowed to attend!
"UN staff wouldn't even meet the chair of our international network, Nnimmo Bassey, without a security escort. They cordoned us off to keep reporters away as we sat there and waited for answers as to why we'd been turned away.
"Help keep our presence strong -- support our fight for a strong and just climate agreement. [ https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/455/t/8356/content.jsp?content_KEY=6719 ]*
"As a member of our activist network, you are a part of the largest international environmental group at the negotiations, representing people from 77 countries.
"The real crisis here isn't about Friends of the Earth. It's about the diminishing prospect of reaching a truly strong and fair climate agreement. By severely limiting Friends of the Earth's access, the UN has tipped the playing field in favor of rich countries. Developing countries are totally outgunned by the massive delegations of wealthy countries, and now they have even less support inside the conference to fight for a fair agreement.
"We need your support now to keep up our fight for a strong and just climate agreement.* [ https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/455/t/8356/content.jsp?content_KEY=6719 ]
"This latest move is the culmination of over a week of attempts to sideline voices for climate justice. On the second day of the negotiations, it emerged that the U.S. and other rich countries were convening side negotiations over a secret "Danish text" without inviting most poor countries to attend.
"When representatives of African civil society and members of African parliaments learned of this, they marched through the halls of the conference demanding a place at the table.
"Kate Horner, one of our campaigners on the ground who has been working with our partners in Africa, captured the scene:
"'I saw my amazingly professional and reserved colleagues in tears and when I saw them marching through the halls demanding justice for their families, I couldn't help but cry.'
"Halting global warming isn't just about numbers, or projections, or changing light bulbs. It's about saving lives. Friends of the Earth needs your support to keep up the fight in Copenhagen and beyond -- this process is far from over.
"Will you make a special, year end gift of $25 or more to Friends of the Earth to help us secure climate justice for everyone? Your support is critical. Please make a donation today!* [ https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/455/t/8356/content.jsp?content_KEY=6719 ]
*Sincerely,
Erich Pica
President, Friends of the Earth*
Joe Segura, a mild-mannered reporter for a major metropolitan newspaper, has covered Gotham City, er Long Beach, for 34 years. During his very, very long -- endless -- tenure, he's covered almost every beat, and he was the main writer for BeachWeek, which focused on life and lifestyles of the shoreline communities from downtown Long Beach to the Huntington Beach pier.
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