Pictures in this article can be used freely. To be credited to “Global Aktion”. 

In the early hours of 13 January 2025, molotov cocktails were thrown through the windows of the Copenhagen office of Global Aktion, Western Sahara Resource Watch's Danish partner organisation. On the pavement in front of the building, spray-painted slogans such as “the Sahara belongs to Morocco”, “Stop supporting terrorism”, “Morocco”, and “Fuck Polisario” could still be discerned today, though they are somewhat blurred by frost and water.

The residents of the apartments above Global Aktion's offices had to be evacuated during the night.

No one was harmed.

Global Aktion is a solidarity organisation with roots in the anti-Apartheid movement,which nowadays supports people-driven movements in the Global South in their mobilization and fight for economic, democratic and social rights.

The work of Global Aktion can be supported here. WSRW's work can be supported here.

It is not the first time that the organisation is in the crosshairs of anti-Western Sahara forces: there have been Moroccan demonstrations in front of their premises in the past, and the organisation has received threats in writing before. But no one expected a violent attack to  ensue.

Morten Nielsen, Global Aktion's policy and campaigncoordinator, says everyone at the organisation is deeply shocked that their campaigning for the rights of the people of Western Sahara, against the Moroccan occupation, have made them a target of such an attack. “Everyone is very shaken”, says Nielsen, “the entire office is ravaged, all technical equipment such as computers needs to be replaced. We are very surprised that they are taking such actions against us. Thank God it is not that often that political arson attacks happen in Denmark. Our main thoughts today are still with the Saharawi people, who have been suffering from the Moroccan occupation, harassment and intimidation for five decades".

He himself reckons that it is Global Action's commitment to Western Sahara that “has made some people angry. But we will not be silenced.”

The Copenhagen police have statedearly this morning that they are “extensively investigating the case”.
The police held a press conference was held around noon. 

The arson is widely covered by Danish national media.
 

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