Copenhagen under siege

I live in a town under siege. Not only with police everywhere, but also with our collective holding our breaths, while the so called world leaders try to make an agreement at the COP15 in the Bella Center. Probably the most important agreement of our time.
When I cycled home from the station this afternoon I was caught up in a demonstration. One of many these days.

Police everywhere, large numbers of vans, tooting their sirens and flashing their lights. Helmets and batons ready for confrontation. A helicopter hovered over our heads. I stopped and asked a police officer, if the demonstration was big.
No. There were less than 300 people, walking quietly along with a loud hi-fi and a few banners. Yes, they had long hair and colourful clothes. Yes, they want the world leaders to agree on something more than nothing. Yes, they were voicing their opinion in one of the ways they can. There were more police officers present than people walking in the demonstration. Intimidation was the bottom line.

We are a city under siege, a ridiculously proportioned siege at that.

But also a profession under siege. First the police tried to stop journalists and photographer doing their work. Then they arrested spokewomen from some NGO. And now the worst part. They are tapping phone calls made to journalists by the NGO's. I beg your pardon. Are we at war now?

The freedom of speech is under siege. COP15 has shown it. The Danish government is so frightened that this event will get out of control that they will do everything to prevent it. And they have done it.

But what has really gone out of control is their control.

This is written in my best English (read: mediocre), because I had two French (very peaceful and articulate) activists staying in my home last week. They blog all the time, so I am obligated to express this in a language, they will understand.