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Occupation of the UN Climate Talks Happening now

Frustrated by governments like ours, activists have taken over space for an unprecedented occupation of the UN climate talks. Using the human microphone, the large crowd is shouting strong messages – people power, not corporate power; the people united will never be defeated; occupy the COP; power to the people, not the polluters; climate justice now; World Bank our of climate finance.

It sounds like the plan is to slowly move to the plenary together where negotiations are underway. It appears they have been stopped, but are in a location where those in the talks can likely hear them.

You can watch this video of the occupation including a statement from a representative of the Maldives, “we have a right to live.”

You can watch live stream of the occupation.

Follow these exciting developments via twitter at hastag #COP17.

See pictures here.

According to twitter feeds from Cam Fenton, National Direction of the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition, a message from the 6 Canadian youth kicked out of the talks for peacefully disrupting Minister Kent’s speech to a cheering crowd: “One person can take a stand. Six people can take a stand. But it is when hundreds of us, thousands, millions of us choose to stand up to our government and advocate for an alternative to the current path, that a safe home for us all becomes possible again.”

The latest twitter feeds are reporting that people are being escorted outside by security. They are being accused of illegal trespassing.  Kumi Naidoo of Greenpeace has apparently been led outside in plastic handcuffs.