Greenpeace: bail out the planet, not the banks

Three hundred and fifty Greenpeace activists were arrested outside the European Union headquarters this week because their demonstration was unauthorised.

The activists chained themselves to the gates outside the EU Council shouting “Save the climate, bail out the planet”.

Inside, ministers were discussing how much Europe should contribute to a climate change fund.

Activists from 20 countries joined in the protest.

Those who were arrested could be prosecuted for taking part in an unauthorised demonstration.

Greenpeace campaigner Thomas Henningsen said: “Finance ministers are giving billions of taxpayers’ money to failed banks, but we’re here to make sure they also put money on the table to tackle climate change.

“If the planet were a bank they would bail it out.”

He added that over 300 activists were arrested by Belgian police, with five activists injured as a result of police action.

The Belgian police confirmed the figure, saying they had arrested over 350 demonstrators.