COP17 civil society statement on conflict during the Global Day of Action

Durban 4 December 2011 – On Saturday 3 December, the mid-point of COP
17, about 12,000 people from across the continent and the world
gathered in Durban to demand climate justice and unite against climate
change.

The march was largely peaceful, with divergent activist groups uniting
to demand action from governments around the world. The march
culminated in the handing over of memoranda of understanding to UNFCCC
COP17 President Nozipho Mxakato-Diseko and UNFCCC Executive Secretary
Christian Figueres.

There was, however, disruption during the course of the march in which
a group of about 300 protesters, dressed in official COP17 volunteer
uniforms tore up placards, physically threatened and attacked
activists participating in the march. In spite of heavy police
presence throughout the march, including mounted police, riot police,
air-patrol and snipers, and requests to address this disruption,
police did not take any action. This was a major failure of the police
to act to prevent this group from destabilising the march and injuring
other activists.

The disruptive group persistently attempted to take up positions at
the head of the march, but agreed to retreat to the back following
negotiations between march organisers and the professed leader of this
group. However they found their way back to the middle of the march
where they continued to cause disruption.

The disruptive group wore uniforms distinguishing them as city
volunteers for COP 17, in green eThekwini tracksuits with city
branding and emblems, but acknowledged themselves to be ANC Youth
League supporters, displaying pro-Zuma and anti-Malema placards.

As volunteers paid daily by the municipality of eThekwini, it is of
grave concern that their intimidation of peaceful marchers was left
unchallenged by those in authority. As such, the city manager and
mayor, together with the UNFCCC must answer to the involvement of this
group and the failure of authorities to address this unnecessary
violence.

The need for action on climate change is urgent, and civil society
stands united against climate change. But we also stand against
violence and intimidation of any kind, which impacts on our right to
assembly. Organisations were invited to attend the march on the
understanding that it would be a peaceful protest. Every individual is
welcome to civil society marches, but we are deeply concerned about
whether this group will return to other peaceful assemblies, and the
city needs to take urgent action to make sure that such
destabilisation does not re-occur.

The threatening behaviour during the march yesterday constitutes an
attack on democracy and cannot be tolerated.

Civil society groups are calling a press conference today regarding
the infringement of democratic rights of activists to protest.

Time: 5:30pm
Venue: UKZN, Howard College Campus, The People’s Space, Memorial Tower
Building, L1

Contact Information

C17 Global Day of Action Enquiries:
Desmond D’Sa
GDA subcommittee convenor
031 461 1991
083 982 6939
[email][email protected]

C17 Media Enquiries:
Laura Tyrer
Media and Communications subcommittee convenor
[email][email protected]

General Enquiries:
Siziwe Khanyile
Coordination subcommittee convenor
[email][email protected]