Climate protests planned across Paris
Yellow paint is poured on the street during a protest by activists from environmental group Greenpeace on the Champs-Elysee in Paris, Friday, Dec. 11. The protest is one of many activist actions linked to the COP21, the United Nations Climate Change Conference. AP
LE BOURGET, France—Several environmental and human rights groups are planning protests around Paris on Saturday to call attention to populations threatened by man-made global warming and urge an end to human use of oil, gas and coal.
The protests are timed to coincide with the end of two weeks of climate talks outside Paris. Organizers are hoping to reach a final international accord sometime Saturday.
The last big climate protests in Paris, on the eve of the talks Nov. 29, ended in tear gas and more than 100 arrests as some activists defied a ban on demonstrations. The ban was linked to France’s state of emergency, put in place because of Islamic extremist attacks a month ago.
Organizers say their main demonstration Saturday, near the Eiffel Tower, has been authorized by Paris police.
Hollande to join talks
French President Francois Hollande will join the Paris climate talks as delegates debate what organizers hope is the final draft of an unprecedented agreement among all countries to fight global warming together.
Hollande’s office says he will give a speech alongside UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the 11:30 a.m. (1030GMT) meeting to show “the importance of deciding and now adopting the draft text.”
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius has been leading plenary meetings at the two weeks of UN climate talks. Hollande’s presence will give extra weight to Saturday’s session.
French officials say what they hope is the final draft has been completed and is being translated for discussion among delegates.
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