And also....By The Canadian Press
OTTAWA - Authorities pulled down a massive climate change banner from the roof of the West Block of Parliament today after 14 Greenpeace protesters hung it out in the early morning.
But a half dozen activists dangled off the roof on ropes as police and firemen pondered how to retrieve them safely. Police quickly arrested five other protesters who scaled an entrance to the Centre Block.
Protesters rappelled from a wrought iron fence which rings the roof of the West Block and unfurled a banner saying "Harper-Ignatieff: Climate Inaction Costs Lives," in English and French.
Police, ambulance and fire trucks swarmed below in the fresh sprinkling of snow while a helicopter and at least one airplane hovered circled overhead.
An aerial ladder was raised to the steeply pitched roof and police and firemen swarmed up.
At the nearby Senate entrance to the Centre Block, police quickly hoisted a ladder and took down the banners. They then used a fire truck-mounted cherry picker to coax the protesters down.
"We thought it was time to bring the message home," said Christy Ferguson, spokesperson for Greenpeace Canada.
The activists have been targeting the oil sands operations in Alberta, but now they want to highlight the government negotiations in Copenhagen this week. There, world leaders are meeting to hash out a new global pact to prevent climate change.
The Ottawa protest targets both Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff for their inaction on climate change, said Greenpeace activist Jessica Wilson.
"Climate inaction costs lives," she said, echoing the message.
A recent Greenpeace report concluded that climate change kills 300,000 people every year, and leads to economic losses worth $125-billion (U.S.).
20 arrested at climate protest on Parliament Hill
Someone should really let Greenpeace know that trespassing on Government buildings is frowned upon heavily in Canada.Police arrested 20 people after a Monday morning protest that saw activists scale two Parliament Hill buildings and unfurl climate-change banners.
Police said five people were arrested at the Centre Block, eight people were arrested on the building’s rooftop, six people were arrested on the side of the building and one person was arrested on the ground.
An Ottawa police spokesman said they will likely be charged with mischief and possibly other charges. No one was hurt, and there were no altercations with police.
Christy Ferguson, a Greenpeace spokeswoman, said the group considers the protest a success, since it has attracted attention and sparked conversation on the Hill.
"It really seems like the message has gotten out," Ferguson said. "They seem to be talking about it and I believe Canadians are going to be talking about it. It has been pretty successful.”
Police investigate how activists scaled the buildings
The RCMP said they are investigating how protesters in blue jumpsuits and white climbing helmets were able to reach their goals undetected and hang huge banners.
It's believed the 14 who climbed the West Block used scaffolding at the back of the building to gain access at about 7:30 a.m. ET Monday, but the RCMP, who are responsible for security outside of the Parliament buildings, wouldn't confirm how the activists got to the roof.
"The RCMP will be reviewing the incident and we will take appropriate measures," said Cpl. Caroline Poulin, an RCMP spokeswoman.
"It's important for the citizens of this country to have access to Parliament. This is certainly something we want to maintain, but at the same time we have to have appropriate security measures in place."
The results of the investigation will be watched carefully by Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan, his office said.
The activists rappelled from a wrought-iron fence ringing the roof of the West Block and unfurled banners that said, in English and French: "Harper-Ignatieff: Climate Inaction Costs Lives."
RCMP, Ottawa police, the Ottawa fire department and city paramedics were all at the scene.
When authorities did finally gain access to the roof, their first action was to take down the banners and signs.
The protest comes as world leaders and diplomats gather in Copenhagen for a United Nations conference on climate change. The aim of the meeting is to work toward a new agreement on controlling greenhouse gas emissions to replace the Kyoto Protocol, which has its first commitment period end in 2012.
I wonder how much confidential information is kept in the Paraliment buildings. If they tried to get access to the inside of the building, or it even looks like it, they could be in for alot more charges.
*Edited because Url tags and I get into arguments on occasion. We're trying to work things out, really.
