Police Tear Gas Climate Protesters

Copenhagen's climate protests turned ugly today, as police used tear gas and batons to disperse crowds that were trying to disrupt the UN conference. A police spokesman said 230 protesters had been detained in the clashes. Television reports showed a man being pushed from the roof of a police van and stuck with a baton by an officer. A Times reporter on the scene said police were charging protesters and using pepper spray to break them up.

Police were waiting for the protesters as they arrived, ready with barricades and dogs. Plain clothes officers were also dispersed through the crowds, grabbing individual protesters and hustling them into police vans. None of the activists have managed to break past the barricade or into the conference center. Danish police have arrested hundreds of activists this week, prompting criticism that they are being heavy-handed.