BREAKING: Youth climate activists on board the Rainbow Warrior granted permission to sail to COP26 

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In a dramatic U-turn the Clyde port authorities and Scottish Police are now looking at ways to facilitate the arrival of four youth climate activists from Fridays for Future MAPA (Most Affected People and Areas) onboard the iconic Rainbow Warrior ship to the COP26 climate conference.

Photos and videos available here: https://media.greenpeace.org/collection/27MDHUW8MBVK

The activists, who come from Namibia, Uganda, Mexico and Bangladesh [1] are attempting to peacefully sail to the COP26 climate conference being held in Glasgow to demand that world leaders attending the conference ‘stop failing us’ [2].

A request on Saturday night by the ship’s captain for a berth outside the SEC conference centre in Glasgow, where the talks are being held, was refused by the authorities as per a ‘Notice to Mariners’, which stated that sailing down the River Clyde is not permitted and that the area is now controlled by the Scottish Police.

And last night, as the Rainbow Warrior approached the Firth of Clyde, it was also contacted by HMC Vigilant, who warned the ship’s captain that if the ship continued its voyage it would be in breach of maritime laws, and that Police Scotland would ‘act accordingly’.

Following a meeting with the ship’s captain this morning, who explained how important it was for these four activists to make it to the climate talks onboard the Rainbow Warrior, the Clyde port authorities told the captain that they want to help facilitate the ship’s arrival.

In a joint statement, Jakapita Faith Kandanga, Farzana Faruk Jhumu, Edwin Namakanga and Maria Reyes, said:

“The authorities have seen sense and now understand that our presence at the climate summit is too important to shut out. It’s ridiculous to think that climate talks could be held without the most affected people there and it’s positive that the police and port authorities have changed their minds.

“World leaders attending the talks could learn a lot from this cooperation. We have been ignored long enough, and now with a safe passage to Glasgow our voices must be heard at COP26.”

Once the onboard climate activists arrive at COP26 later today, they will join forces with other activists and hold a press conference near the climate summit and deliver their messages to world leaders [2].

ENDS

Contact: Greenpeace UK Press Office – press.uk@greenpeace.org or 020 7865 8255.

Notes to editor:

Photos and videos available here: https://media.greenpeace.org/collection/27MDHUW8MBVK

  1. The Fridays for Future MAPA (Most Affected People and Areas) activists onboard include:Jakapita Faith Kandanga, 24, climate activist from Namibia
    Edwin Namakanga, 27, climate activist from Uganda
    Maria Reyes, 19, climate activist from Mexico
    Farzana Faruk Jhumu, 22, climate activist from Bangladesh
  2. Greenpeace UK: Youth activists sailing to COP26 onboard the Rainbow Warrior ignore warnings from port authorities

Details about the press conference will be announced shortly, including time, location and attendees. If you are interested in joining the press conference please email press.uk@greenpeace.org to be added to the mailing list

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