Background - 18 October, 2013
Today, 18 October 2013, marks the 30th day in which the Arctic 30 have been held by authorities in Murmansk, Russia. The world widely acknowledges that this is a heavy-handed response by authorities towards the Arctic 30's brave, peaceful protest, and that the charges of piracy are absurd. More than 100 events are being held in 36 countries involving nearly 10,000 men, women and children to show solidarity with the Arctic 30 and defend the right to peaceful protest.
- In Naples, Italy, a group of volunteers are gathering for a 24 hour sit-in vigil at the city's central square, joining the family of one of the imprisoned Arctic 30 (Christian).
- In Oslo, Norway, 30 activists in prison suits, chained together to represent the Arctic 30, are gathering in the evening for a candlelight vigil in front of the Russian Embassy.
- In Stockholm, Sweden, more than 30 people are gathering around the Russian Embassy in Stockholm, wearing red overalls, holding a big picture banner of Dima (the Swedish national of the Arctic 30) saying "Free Dima - Save The Arctic".
- In Copenhagen, Denmark, 30 handcuffed people are representing the 30 imprisoned in front of the Russian Embassy, calling to #FreetheArctic30 and Save the Arctic. In the town square of Aarhus, activists are collecting signatures for the Russian ambassador and messages in support of the imprisoned.
- In Finland, a small vigil is taking place at the Russian embassy in Helsinki and at consulate in Turku (Åbo). Supporters are being joined by local celebrities.
- In Berlin, Germany, the Youth section of Greenpeace is organizing a 30 hour vigil with 100 people and permanent live music in front of the Russian Embassy. Furthermore, activities will take place in over 40 cities all over Germany on Friday and Saturday. A solidarity vigil has been ongoing in front of the Russian embassy since September 19.
- In London, United Kingdom, a beautiful evening candlelight vigil is taking place at the Russian Embassy with lots of candles.
- In Groningen, the Netherlands; the sister city of Murmansk, people are gathering in a central square around a large cage that symbolises the 30 days of injustice. Passersby can take pictures of themselves inside the cage as one of the Arctic 30.
- In Louxemburg, Louxemburg, a small act of solidarity will take place in front of the Russian Embassy with photographs of the Arctic 30 and a banner reading "Free the Arctic 30".
- In Granada, Spain, Greenpeace is projecting on the iconic building Alhambra de Granada a message to #FreeTheArctic30 together with the images of the 30 detained.
- In Switzerland, a silent vigil is taking place in front of the Russian Embassy in Bern, as well as in front of the Russian Consulates in Zürich and Geneva. Greenpeace supporters are being joined by Amnesty International volunteers and together they are displaying the portraits of the Arctic 30 with 30 candles.
- In Athens, Greece, people are gathering in solidarity at the Central Square of Syntagma to highlight the 30 days of injustice. A time lapse video will be played in front of the Parliament, showing 24 Greenpeace activists displaying messages in support of the Arctic 30 across a 12 hour timespan.
- In Warsaw, Poland, a concert will take place with DJ-s playing for the Arctic 30. Further events are happening in Poland in Gdańsk, Bydgoszcz, Toruń, Kraków, Łódź, Wrocław, Puławy and Poznań.
- In Sofia, Bulgaria, supporters are joining in solidarity of the Arctic 30 for a music jam session in the town's biggest park.
- In Bratislava, Slovakia, a candlelight vigil is taking place on the bank of the river Danube.
- In Ljubljana, Slovenia, a vigil is staged on a square, historically linked to freedom and human rights, emphasizing the 30 days of injustice by reading stories about the Arctic 30.
- In Zagreb, Croatia, a solidarity event is taking place in front of the Russian Embassy, where supporters are bringing prison bars with the message reading ʺ30 Days of Injusticeʺ.
- In Vienna, Austria, the vigil will take place on one of the town's squares, where passersby will be invited to enter a cage and write messages in support detained.
- In Bucharest, Romania, a group of supporters will gather in front of Court of Appeal with photos of Arctic 30 and banners calling for an end to the injustice and Free the Arctic 30.
- In Turkey, Istanbul, the family of one of the imprisoned (Gizem) will be joined by supporters, reading messages in support of the Arctic 30.
- In Moscow, Russia, people are meeting for a rally in Gorky Park, Парк Горького, which has a capacity of 2000 people. A cage, stage, sound and banner with the Arctic 30, as well as hand-held posters and bear suits will be part of the event.
- In Saint Petersburg, Russia, a single man demonstration is taking place.
- In Israel, an event is taking place near the River Jordan.
- In Pittsburg, USA, thousands gathering at a youth conference to show their solidarity with the Arctic 30.
- In Toronto and Montreal, Canada, people are gathering around mock-up jail cells with individuals in jumpsuits inside. The Toronto event is taking place outside the Russian Consulate and the Montreal event is taking place in a public square.
- In Mexico City, Mexico, people are gathering around Mahatma Gandhi´s monument and are building a prison cell around it. 30 activists are going to be inside the cell together with the Mahatma holding pictures of the Arctic 30.
- In Buenos Aires, Cordoba, and 6 additional cities in Argentina, events are happening on Friday and Saturday… People are gathering for demonstrations and events involving 30 handcuffed activists.
- In Santiago, Chile, people are erecting a cage with handcuffed people. Each person will remain caged for 30 minutes.
- In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 30 people are walking to the Russian Consulate handcuffed to each other holding posters of detained activists.
- In Sydney, Australia, people have gathered in a peaceful vigil.
- In Auckland, New Zealand, 30 Greenpeace supporters. together with family and friends of one of the imprisoned (Jonathan), are each spending 30 minutes in the cell near to where the Rainbow Warrior was bombed by the French Government in 1985.
- In China, the Greenpeace team is bringing Free the Arctic 30 messages to Tibet, on route to Mount Everest.
- In Johannesburg and Durban, South Africa, vigils are happening in iconic places.
- In Bangalore, India, people are gathering in an iconic location known as the Freedom Park, which used to be a jail.
- In Tokyo, Japan, people are gathering for a small walking event around Shinjuku area, central Tokyo, releasing peace-dove balloons also used for the Hiroshima peace events in the past.
- In Bangkok, Thailand, people are gathering in Wat Phra Kaeo, one of the most iconic temples of Thailand, where GP volunteers shape the words ”Free the Arctic 30” using flower bouquets. The vigil will continue for 30 days.
- In Manila, Philippines, people wearing white are gathering at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, releasing live white doves into the air and holding photos of the Arctic 30 and banners saying "Free the Arctic 30.”