Greenpeace is a non-violent organisation that is committed to the right to peaceful protest. As such, it disapproves of the violence that has started to occur at intergovernmental gatherings and meetings of financial and trade bodies.

The disruption caused by violence at these meetings does not help the search for solutions to the social and environmental threats unregulated globalisation can lead to.

It only serves to detract from the legitimate concerns voiced by Non Government Organisations and civil society. It also threatens to drive these meetings behind closed doors, to silence all chances of constructive debate and close down opportunities to influence positive change.