 Greenpeace protesters climb the Parliament Building to protest climate control. (Greenpeace photo)
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OTTAWA -- A Greenpeace climate change protest continues this hour after the activists created a major security breach on Parliament Hill.
The group of activists, believed to number about 20, climbed both the Centre Block and West Block buildings, which house many of the most important dignitaries and functions on the Hill. Once atop the roofs, they unfurled numerous banners and signs to protest climate change.
The largest banners read: 'Harper/Ignatieff: Climate Inaction Costs Lives' in both english and French.
“We thought it was time to bring the message home,” said Christy Ferguson, spokesperson for Greenpeace Canada.
One group of five protesters has already been arrested from the Centre Block. The second group, with about a dozen members, remains atop the West Block where police are present. Firefighters have removed the huge, 10-metre long banners from the front of the West Block, which faces Wellington St.
Images: Security breach on Parliament Hill
A large crowd of spectators gathers during the height of the protest. No roads have been closed, however access to Parliament Hill is now being somewhat restricted.
The group now in custody had climbed onto an overhang above the Senate entrance to the Centre Block. They hung a banner and signs before police erected a ladder, took down the signs and pulled the protesters away.
A second group using cliimbing gear remains on the West Block. The group as of about 10:45 a.m., had unfurled two large banners, each about 10 m in length, at the front of the West Block. Firefighters and police have now moved in on this group and pulled down the banners.
The protesters, however, remain atop the building, including three climbers hanging over the front of the West Block suspended by ropes.<
RCMP, Ottawa Police, the Ottawa fire department and city paramedics are all at the scene.
Do people protest too much?
In a release, Greenpeace says:
"Right now, 19 Greenpeace activists are on the roofs of our national Parliament buildings, sending a strong message to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Opposition leader Michael Ignatieff to take bold action on climate change.
"The action comes on the opening day of the pivotal Climate Change summit in Copenhagen. The protesters were highlighting the beginning of climate change talks and urging an end to Canada’s oil sands production."
The activists have been targeting the oil sands operations in Alberta, but now they want to highlight the government negotiations in Copenhagen this week. There, world leaders are meeting to hash out a new global pact to prevent climate change.
The Ottawa protest targets both Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff for their inaction on climate change, said Greenpeace activist Jessica Wilson.
“Climate inaction costs lives,” she said, echoing the message.
