“Red Lines’ to be drawn in Paris in the face of expected failure of the climate talks
Date: 11 December 2015
A coalition of NGOs and activists in Paris have revealed the location of the ‘Red Lines’ action to take place on Saturday 12 December in Paris.
Attac, 350.org, Reclaim The Power, Global Justice Now, Confédération Paysanne, Réseau Sortir du Nucléaire, Climate Games and others are taking the message to the streets tomorrow at 12pm (that is 12.12.12). Defying a ban on public protests that has been implemented in France under the State of Emergency, campaigners are planning for a gathering of thousands.
At the start of Avenue de la Grande Armée is the Arc de Triomphe and the grave of the unknown soldier. We will use this place to commemorate known victims of climate change (past and future) and pledge our commitment to continue the fight for climate justice. Thousands will stand along the Avenue to draw a red line with their bodies, signifying our commitment to defend our common homes. The line will point towards the real perpetrators of climate crimes in La Défense, where the headquarters of major fossil fuel companies and their financial backers can be found. The action will be a reminder that there is no complete triumph in the battle against climate change–too much has already been lost–but that any progress will be led by the people, not our politicians.
Nick Dearden, the director of Global Justice Now commented:
“There’s a huge gap between what science is telling us what’s necessary to deal with climate change, and what the negotiators are going to be releasing at the end of these talks. On top of this, rich countries have consistently tried to undermine their responsibilities for dealing with the climate crisis they have caused by ensuring the southern countries do not have access to the necessary finance to adapt, condemning millions into poverty in the process.
The Red Lines action will be a powerful articulation of how politicians have failed us so badly on climate change, and people-powered movements in Paris are now moving forward to take matters into their own hands. Despite the shameful embarrassment of the UN process, ordinary people all around the world are coming together to take on the fossil fuel sector, to stop climate trashing free trade agreements like TTIP and CETA, and pushing a justice-based transition to clean energy in their communities.”
Today within the climate talks at 3pm, a creative Red Lines intervention will take place as a precursor to Saturday’s action. Over 100 representatives from across civil society will gather at the COP21 Eiffel Tower to form a giant red line down the Champs Elysee corridor in the center of the UN climate summit. Activists will form the line with over 40 meters of red fabric.
