PR:Anti-nuclear Activists Gathered to Develop Raising Resistance Against Nuclear Power

Press Release – for immediate publication Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

Anti-nuclear Activists Gathered to Develop Raising Resistance Against Nuclear Power
'''An international conference in Helsinki focused on the nuclear industry's attempts to promote nuclear power in Finland and worldwide. Activists from movements of eight European countries informed people about nuclear policies in their respective countries and the growing resistance against this deadly power. A network of activists and organizations is starting activities in several countries to raise public awareness about the threats of nuclear power.'''

Helsinki Five days of gathering brought international anti-nuclear activists from Azerbaijan, Belarus, Finland, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Russia and the United Kingdom together in Helsinki from March 25th to 29th. They were invited by the „Nuclear Heritage Network“, an international network of grassroots activists and organizations as well as other people fighting nuclear power. The meeting was supported by the Finnish Nature Conservation Association SLL and the German environmental youth network JANUN. The common aim was to strengthen the existing resistance against nuclear power and to develop international networks of anti-nuclear activists.

In Finland the nuclear industry attempts, alongside the government, to push through nuclear developments - new NPPs and uranium mines, even though they are dangerous and increasingly unpopular. International activists support the Finnish anti-nuclear movement and are working together to stop the global nuclear threat.

German journalist and final disposal expert Falk Beyer: „Experiences in other countries show that a safe final disposal of nuclear waste is impossible. Uranium mining in Germany (Wismut) showed that the numbers of sicknesses caused by uranium mining are high. Officially at least some 4.500 workers are suffering from the affects of the nuclear radiation, but about 25,000 workers became sick from uranium mining. In Scandinavia the authorities now want to realize a concept that is obviously worse than other concepts in other countries that also failed. Especially the idea to store the toxic radioactive waste by the sea and to accept the influx of water to the repositories. The waste takes millions of years to become safe. Finland is playing a risky game that is also very stupid.“

Jan Miniewicz, a grassroots activist from the United Kingdom, who was present at the network meeting and at the banner action during earth hour had this to say, „Already today the Baltic Sea is highly radioactive -  regarding to the official data of the governments around the Baltic Sea - instead of extending nuclear facilities the ones in operation have to be stopped immediately.“

Tarna Kannisto a Finnish resident and anti-uranium mining activist said, „Uranium mining always causes the destruction of huge natural areas. It leaves great toxic and radioactive tailing ponds of waste waters and big stockpiles of non-exploitable uranium ore. Environment and people - especially the workers - will be contaminated badly and suffer health damages.“

During the meeting presentations of the nuclear situations and national anti-nuclear campaigns in the participants' countries were shown. A public action took place on Saturday in context of the „Earth hour where for one hour in Helsinki the city turned off lights“ with a banner demanding: „Turn off Nuclear Power and not just for one hour!“. In several workshops and meetings future activities and projects were developed to start in European countries this year.

One of these activities is the „Baltic Sea Info Tour“ in summer 2010: anti-nuclear activists will travel around the Baltic Sea to inform people about its radioactive contamination and the impacts of nuclear facilities such as; nuclear power plants, disposal sites, uranium mining areas and nuclear waste transports that cross the sea. With this info tour activists and concerned people around the Baltic Sea will be connected, public street actions in several cities will take place and independent experts will inform about the threats of nuclear power.

Background information about nuclear issues and resistance in several countries around the world is provided by the website: http://nuclear-heritage.net.

Dear editor: Contact us at [mailto:mediaATnuclear-heritage.net media AT nuclear-heritage.net] or call Falk Beyer at +358 41 7243254.

-- Nuclear Heritage Network Am Bärental 6 D-04720 Ebersbach GERMANY

WebSite: http://nuclear-heritage.net E-Mail: [mailto:contactATnuclear-heritage.net contact AT nuclear-heritage.net]