Climate protesters plotted to cause chaos at Cop26 in Glasgow today after Greta Thunberg said sometimes you have to ‘p*** people off’ to protect the environment.
The activist voiced support for the tactics of road-blocking group Insulate Britain as demonstrators from various groups gathered amid a £100million policing operation.
Representatives of 200 nations met to strike a deal to limit global temperature rise to 1.5C.
For three weeks, Police Scotland and other forces in Britain will have an average of 10,000 officers on duty. The UK Government will pay the bill.
It is the result of Miss Thunberg (18), who started the school strike against climate change protests.
Police officers patrol a streetblock at the Clydeside Express entrance in Glasgow today
As they arrive at the Cop26 climate summit, Glasgow this morning, delegates line up in a queue
A motorcade (left), with a police escort, travels along Kingsway in Glasgow this AM.
After police created a ring made of steel, people are now arriving in Glasgow for the Cop26 summit.
She said, “As long as nobody gets hurt… then sometimes you have to anger some people. Like, for instance, the school strike movement would never have become so big if there wasn’t friction, if some people didn’t get p***** off.’
As security forces prepare for threats to the heads and possible disruption from climate protesters, a steel ring is being constructed in Glasgow around the conference site.
Police officers will even be equipped with high-tech devices that can destroy rogue drones by using electromagnetic pulses.
Police anticipate making 300 arrests per day, but sources warn that if this number rises, custody suites could be overwhelmed.
A report from last month showed that almost half of Scotland’s police officers had experienced fatigue within the previous fortnight. This is not good news as many will have to work 12-hour shifts during a three-week conference.
Today, police officers stand guard at the entrance to Clydeside Express as a roadblock is made
Today, police officers retake cars as a convoy tries to get onto the Clydeside Express.
Police officers observe from a footbridge high above Kingsway, the centre of Glasgow, this morning
Cop26 started this morning with police on a bridge just above Kingsway in the middle of Glasgow.
Scotland’s lawyers also vow to boycott weekend custody court amid ongoing legal aid cuts. The sheer number of people arrested at this event could cause chaos in the justice system.
Joe Biden, President of the United States, is one of more than 100 world leaders who are expected to attend.
The summit will also include a climate rally in Glasgow, which could be attended by more that 150,000 people.
Tens of thousands of delegates from 193 member states and four observer states will attend the summit, with the SEC conference venue designated a ‘blue zone’ – meaning it will be policed by the UN, with Scottish police only allowed to enter if there is a threat to life.
Greta Thunberg, climate activist and host of the BBC’s Andrew Marr Radio Show yesterday
Greta Thunberg, climate activist arrives at Glasgow Central train station Saturday
Miss Thunberg endorsed the tactics of Insulate Britain, a road-blocking group. The activists are seen making traffic halt at Bishopsgate in London City last week
Miss Thunberg stated that she talks to activists in countries such as China that do not have the same rights and added that it makes her feel so grateful that they are actually able protest. This just makes us more accountable for exercising that right.
She also attacked Rishi Sunak’s Budget, and stated that policies like cuts to air passenger duty showed that ‘climate action was not really’. [Britain’s]Priority’.
When asked about Mr Sunak’s Budget policy of cutting air passenger duty at internal flights by 50%, Miss Thunberg said: “When you see a pattern in these policies that are avoiding real action, then you can draw some conclusions from that pattern. Climate action is not our primary priority right now.
She criticised China for being “out of touch” on the climate crisis, but warned that there will always be other countries to blame if they don’t do enough. She also urged the world for cooperation.