Posted by lupita on December 20, 2009 – 7:10 pm
“Christiania” says a big sign that leads into this village like square were about 800 people live. Although this is in Copenhagen, Denmark., it doesn’t have the same rules that apply to Copenhagen. This town, is basically like a a small community with their own set of rules and regulations.
As we entered, we were cautioned not to take pictures inside. We wondered why since this is technically like a village. We then say huge signs that said NO PHOTOS!! We asked and were told that the E.U. wants to get rid of this small community where people live, bond, and talk. We don’t know why, but it just seems odd too me that this little community can still survive when the Danish police can wipe them out in a second if they really felt like it.
Christiania is really a nice place that leads to lakes that we sadly didn’t get to see because it was too dark, and has lots of little vendors that have some…uhm…lets just say interesting stuff.
Posted by lupita on December 20, 2009 – 6:42 pm
Thursday we had a really wonderful dinner at this restaurant called the Caribbean. It was a dinner that was put together for EJ people. It was a really amazing. Throughout the night, while eating and chatting and mingling, I had the opportunity to introduce myself and to meet some really amazing people. Tom Goldtooth, Dr.Bullard, and Victoria Adejuwon are only some of those people. The people that I had met that night, are people who have been working on this movement for a really really long time. It really hit me today, the confidence and trust that I feel that they have in this generation. I like that, but it also feels good to have somebody there thinking that we, this generation are capable of helping with this problem. Im honored to have that weight on my shoulders, and will try my best to make an effect on this movement.
Besides those sentimental talks, we enjoyed eachothers’ company, and ate yummy food, sang together, and talked together. I felt like I belonged to something. A movement. A cause. A reason worth fighting for climate justice!
Posted by lupita on December 17, 2009 – 10:39 am
See the video at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/video/2009/dec/17/copenhagen-climate-change
on the Reclaim Power Action that happened on Dec 16th, in the morning. From the inside of the Bella Center, and the 3 different locations from the outside. There plan was to meet up together, but the police intervened with brutal force and unnecessary violence.
Another video: http://ekstrabladet.tv/nyheder/112/article1270946.ece
Check it OUT!!
Posted by lupita on December 16, 2009 – 6:57 pm
“Green is NOT white!”
So then why does it feel like only the rich countries like the U.S, Australia, Canada, and the European Union are dominating this Climate Conference and shutting out over 100 countries from the Global South!? This feeling is common in both the adult delegation as well as the youth. The adult delegation of these 100 developing countries has been threatening on several occasions to walk out of the Bella Center because of the lack of being heard and the US decision to stall negotiations. There has also been lack of communication from the US youth delegation towards other youth delegations of color.
I for one feel that if the US youth delegation and any other delegation that comes from a rich country for that matter, don’t show solidarity with other delegations then there shouldn’t be a delegation at all. We have made delegations to get together, and to unite with each other for a better future that will affect all of us. We did NOT join delegations to support only our own countries, and not attempt to make people-to-people ties with one another.
Coming from the US, this is just embarrassing. We, as a whole, adults and youth, are not representing very well, and it has been observed. We are all making decisions that are not improving our status, and many people are depending on us to start doing something. I for one am going to do what I can.
Over the next several days I will be in contact with other youth delegations such as the African Delegation, and the Indigenous People youth delegation, and others from all over the world. I will also get the stories from other adult delegations that will emphasize on the US and communications and how they think things will go in Copenhagen. I will be recording some of these interviews and writing their statements down. I will then compose a letter to Obama and send him the footage to show how many people depend on him and the US to do start doing something about climate change.
Posted by lupita on December 15, 2009 – 5:40 pm
“Shame on the UN”, says a Japanese journalist for not being able to get in to the Bella Center after having waited a couple of hours in the cold to attend the Climate Conference. Yesterday upon arriving in Copenhagen, Denmark we arrived at the Bella Center around 2pm. We stood in line for about 2 1/2 hours when the line closed for the day. Super disappointing. Around 5pm,we decided to start interviewing people. They few people we interviewed came from Japan/Taiwan, Geneva, USA, and Mozambique. These people all have been waiting for at least more than one day for about 5 to 9 hours. These people have been arriving to Copenhagen from all over the world, and some have been delegates. Read More »
Posted by lupita on December 15, 2009 – 5:14 pm
Outside the Bella Center around 2 pm. It is extremely cold. Somewhere in the mid 30’s F. Really, really cold to cut it short. Well, we were outside the Bella Center to register and get our credentials so that we may be able to go in the next day to enjoy all of the meetings, caucus, and just mingling in general with other people and delegates from different countries. We (Ellen, Gier, and myself) stood in line, outside, for about two hours. We were more than half way to the registration point, and around 4:45, they shut down the lines!!! They also said that they weren’t going to be letting in many people tomorrow, seeing as that the major decisions are starting and there is a lot more security and what not. Well obviously we were going to be upset with that. So we decided to interview a couple of people around us to see what there reaction was, how long they have been waiting to get registered, and what organization/country they were from, and how they feel about the conference. Read More »
Posted by lupita on December 14, 2009 – 3:29 pm
Traveling may be a hassle to some people. Traveling may be the thing that others enjoy the most. Others may like being stuck in an airport for a hours with nothing to do. That is most definitly not my thing.
Beginning of the flight went fine, woke up around 4:15am, met Ellen Choy and Gier Hernandez at the SFO airport around 5am. I should have known we were going to have bad luck on the flight when we couldn’t find the Delta/Northwest Airline check in. We were fine after that. No. I lied. While we were getting out boarding passes we found out that we were going to have to stop in Atlanta, Georgia. Ehh. Plane was on time. Stopped in Atlanta with a 3 hour overlay. Plane to Copenhagen was late. Figures. Arrived in Copenhagen, Denmark on Monday at 9:57am. Good. Passport check…wait…another 2 hour delay. Gier needs a visa to travel to Copenhagen. Done with that. You have got to be kidding me!!! Our luggage is still in ATLANTA!! This day just keeps getting better and better. Well…after all of that frustration it did. It feels really great to be in another country with all sort of different people surrounding you. Although we went through a lot today, I think it was a good day overall and I look forward to the rest of my week in Copenhagen!!!!