Olkiluoto Blockade 2012


 * publicly announced blockade of the Olkiluoto NPP on August 11, 2012
 * protest camp: August 6-13, 2012
 * flyer: English | Finnish | German | Russian | Swedish
 * Support the action with a donation! Many of the successful activists have been fined by police between 60 and about 100 EUR. [mailto:contactATnuclear-heritage.net Write] us if you want to support the activists!
 * more information:
 * http://olkiluotoblockade2011.wordpress.com/english/
 * http://subversioninternational.wordpress.com/2011/08/20/news-from-the-blockade-aktuelles-von-der-blockade/
 * http://olkiluotoblockade.info/
 * photos and reports of the 2011 blockade
 * photos and reports of the 2010 blockade

Blockades overview

 * mutant turtles street action on highway E8 - blockaded for 20 min (all arrested)
 * people locked-on in a tube circle on highway E8 - blockaded for 1 h (time until police had opened all lock-ons) (3 people arrested, a fourth injured by police and sent to hospital instead of arrest)
 * sit-in on highway E8 - blockaded for 20 min
 * tripod on one of 3 access roads to the NPP - blockaded for 1 h (5 people arrested)
 * people hanging in the trees at one of 3 access roads to the NPP (not arrested - police: "it is not illegal to sit in trees")
 * logs on the road, people chained to the logs at one of 3 access roads to the NPP
 * drumming group playing at the blockades
 * "legal" demonstration at "Ydinporti" gas station
 * people dancing on the road at Ydinportti - blockaded for some 5 min (3 people arrested?)
 * people in strong chaines around their bodies under their clothes at Ydinportti - blockaded for 20 min (all three people arrested)
 * people on one of 3 access roads - blockaded 10 min

A first short overview described by police press release (thanx for that Cops!): translated ourselves into English with help of Google translation...
 * The Olkiluoto-Blockade against nuclear power a couple of minutes to 5 AM in the morning of 11/08/2012 in such a way that at the Sorkka road leading to Olkiluoto three trees had been cut down, which prevented the use of the road and caused danger to traffic in the dawn. The police cleared the way and detained three people on suspicion of danger.
 * At 6.30 AM a set of three pieces of wood had been erected to a "tripod" at the Sohantielle road leading to Olkiluoto with a person sitting on the top of it. The place was occupied by five people.
 * At 7 AM 14 people were apprehended on highway E8, who had tried to block the road. People did not stop in despite of police calls and commands, and thus they are accused of insubordination.
 * At 08:20 AM a total of 25 people has been apprehended.
 * Protesters have gathered from different site of the demonstration, which is at the Olkiluoto Road and Highway 8 near the intersection to the nuclear power plant. Demonstrators are equipped with banners, drums, field kitchens and other props. A crowd of a few dozen has gathered there.
 * The following information will be given today at 12:00.

Report
submitted by an activist...

This year Olkiluoto blockade took place on August 11 and was accompanied by a camp (Aug 6-13). In my opinion, the idea about a camp was very good. It allowed activists to acclimatize themselves, attend workshops and lectures and, of course, spend more time with other activists.

Friday, Aug 10, was fully dedicated to preparation: painting of banners, making of requisites for the blockade, first aid workshop, legal workshop... Unfortunately we had no workshop that introduced us to the action place. Also we did not have detailed maps, which made the preparation more difficult for people who were going to the blockade for the first time because it was hard to understand how the place actually looks like.

Olkiluoto Blockade 2012 started early in the morning of Aug 11, first activities took place around 6 AM. Five activists with a tripod managed to block one of the roads for about an hour. All of them got arrested. Two other activists who were taking pictures sitting in trees were left there because police officers said that it is not forbidden to sit in trees.

On the main road, several blockades took place: sitting on the road, logs, people with arm tubes... During their removal one of the activists was injured in the shoulder and later needed to seek for medical help. Meanwhile, three Ninja Turtles with drums were making a performance, which lasted for about 20 minutes, slowing down/stopping the traffic. While being arrested they managed to confuse police officers by telling them that there is one activist who is not caught yet – their colleague Master Rat. The police officers let on it and kept asking questions about this (non-existing) person.

The legal demonstration started around 7 AM. At least ten police units were already there, waiting for activists. The demonstration place was fully equipped: a kitchen tent, a media tent, first aid persons, people from the legal team, make-up workshop, posters, banners... From time to time we received updates: who has been arrested, what actions have taken place, what is the situation at police offices, who is going to be released soon. Meanwhile demonstrators were holding banners, singing songs and shouting slogans. The amount of police units continued to increase. Later in the morning journalists started to arrive. Journalists from the biggest Finnish newspaper „Helsingin Sanomat” also came (and made a pretty good article).

Around noon part of the arrested activists were released and brought to the demo by people from the legal team. They were greeted with drums, shouts and hugs. Around 2 PM when the first shift at the Olkiluoto NPP ended and cars of employees were passing us by activists become more active: more people with banners and posters gathered at the roadside. Interesting that I counted 3-4 cars with Lithuanian number plates and 3-4 cars with Polish number plates. That made me think of the percentage of foreign employees at the plant and their positions. Why to employ people from abroad? Are they specialists in nuclear physics? Or are they unskilled workers who are employed just because it is cheaper?

Since for hours nothing remarkable had happened at the demo place, police officers had moved aside. That was great because activists now could block the road. At first they were just singing and dancing (and were removed soon), but then 3 activists who had chained themselves together ran on the road and laid down. Surprised police officers gathered and blocked access to the road for all other activists. The chained activists were laying on the road for 15-20 minutes until police officers managed to cut the chains.

After that, another portion of activists were taken to the police bus: the chained activists and some other activists who had run on the road with them. In following 3 hours there were no road blockades any more. Activists held banners, sang songs and followed to updates given by the media group and legal groups. The blockade lasted for 10 hours and gathered people from different countries: Sweden, Latvia, Germany, France, Lithuania, Spain, United Kingdom... And Finland, of course. In total, 35 activists were arrested but everyone was released by 7 PM.

'Nuclear power? No way!'

Olkiluotoblockade camp 6th - 13th Aug 2012
Olkiluoto Blockade Camp in Eurajoki, western Finland, will bring together people from the anti-nuclear movements in Finland and internationally. The camp will be an opportunity to discuss nuclear power projects, including uranium mining, and to share experiences, skills and tools for struggles against the nuclear energy industry and for encouraging truly sustainable, decentralized forms of energy.

On August 11, Olkiluoto Blockade action day, people are invited to come and block the roads to the Olkiluoto nuclear power plant by civil disobedience. Year 2012 will mark the third annual blockade.

The Olkiluoto power plant consists of two reactors owned by Teollisuuden Voima (TVO). Additionally, TVO and French Areva are currently building a third reactor, which will be the world's largest and first EPR reactor. Despite the countless problems with the EPR's construction so far, the Finnish parliament has granted the company a license to build a fourth reactor at the site. Another pioneer project in Olkiluoto is Onkalo ("the Cave"), the world's first permanent underground storage for highly radioactive waste.

Nuclear power cannot solve the climate crises, but rather it feeds the economic system where short-term profit-making sacrifices common safety and environmental issues.

While many European countries are phasing out nuclear power after the disaster in Fukushima, the Finnish government is grasping the opportunity to increase nuclear power production in Finland. Join us in action and send a strong message to the state and the industries: you will not turn Finland into a nuclear power reservation! Uranium mining, nuclear power plants and waste disposal projects will be met with growing and determined resistance, on a local and international level.

Get more information, or give your ideas for the program: [mailto:olkiluotoblockadeATriseup.net olkiluotoblockade AT riseup.net]


 * http://olkiluotoblockade2012.wordpress.com
 * http://olkiluotoblockade.info
 * http://twitter.com/#!/BlockOlkiluoto

Latest invitation:

Olkiluoto Blockade Sat 11 Aug and Nuclear Camp 6-13 Aug, 2012 in Finland!
From uranium mining to nuclear waste storage, nuclear power poses a health risk to current and future generations alike. We refuse to be part of this costly and dangerous experiment which mainly serves the interests of big industry. We therefore demand a nuclear power phase-out.

On August 11, people are going to block the roads to Olkiluoto nuclear power plant in Eurajoki. Previous years have seen people blocking the roads using banners, drumming, performances and peaceful civil disobedience.

You can join the demonstration in any way you like, with no obligation to participate in civil disobedience. Make sure not to bring with you anything that could be classed as a weapon. No alcohol or drugs in the demonstration. Everyone is asked to refrain from any form of violence, sexism, racism and provocations.

This year the action day is preceded by an international anti-nuclear camp, held at a local farmhouse. The camp program includes practical and informative workshops, such as the current situation of Japan's nuclear disaster and introducing the movement against mining in Finland. The guest speakers, documentaries and workshops during the week will illustrate the international anti-nuclear movement and provide skills and tools for local campaigning.

There will be a special program for kids, and babysitting help available. As well as yummy vegan food, sauna, crafting, live bands and sharing struggles for a nuclear free future!

Welcome!

Sign up for the camp at [mailto:olbcampATriseup.net olbcamp AT riseup.net]. You will get driving instructions upon signing up. Ask more from the info number: +358 44 9157272

Recommended prices:
 * Whole camp 7 days: 30-60 EUR
 * Includes three meals per day, program and basic accommodation in tents/indoors


 * Alternatively:
 * 1 day: 5-8EUR
 * 1 meal: 3-5EUR

Children under 10 years for free.

Shared rides
We also recommend to take your own car/bike/minibus to the camp and demonstration.

If you need a ride or can offer one, notify us at: [mailto:olkiluotoblockadeATriseup.net olkiluotoblockade AT riseup.net]

From Tampere: a minibus leaves to the camp on Monday Aug 6 at 18.00 and on Friday 10 Aug at 12:00. You can reserve seats at [mailto:olkiluotoblockadeATriseup.net olkiluotoblockade AT riseup.net]

From Helsinki: The Union of Conscientious Objectors organises a bus on Friday Aug 10, starting at 11.30. from Rauhanasema, the Peace Station in Pasila. Reserve seats at [mailto:toimistoATakl-web.fi toimisto AT akl-web.fi] or by calling +358 40 8362786. More info on the bus from Helsinki: http://akl-web.fi/tapahtumat/olkiluotoblockade2012

From Turku this same bus leaves on Aug 10 at 14.00 in front of the Railway station. Reserve seats from [mailto:toimistoATakl-web.fi toimisto AT akl-web.fi] or call +358 40 8362786. More info: http://akl-web.fi/tapahtumat/olkiluotoblockade2012

Media coverage

 * Vägarna till Olkiluoto blockerades på nytt Swedish
 * Olkiluoto Blockade 2012- Mutants Against Radiation! Finnish/English
 * Olkiluoto Blockade 2012's photostream
 * Olkiluodon ydinvoimamielenosoitus oli viime vuotta karnevalistisempi Finnish

police media releases:
 * Poliisin jatkotiedote Olkiluodon tapahtumista Finnish
 * OLKILUOTO-BLOCKADE -TAPAHTUMA ALKANUT VILKKAASTI Finnish

Pictures and news (STT and police dominated, only a few have been submitted):
 * Ydinvoimamielenosoitus Olkiluodossa: 25 aktivistia kiinni Finnish
 * Jo 27 otettu kiinni Olkiluodon mielenosoituksessa Finnish
 * Sata osoitti mieltään Olkiluodossa - Poliisi otti kiinni 35 mielenosoittajaa Finnish
 * Poliisi otti kiinni ydinvoiman vastustajia Olkiluodossa – osa jo vapautettu Finnish
 * Olkiluodon mielenosoittajat sulkivat tien – 25 otettiin kiinni Finnish
 * Sata osoitti mieltään Olkiluodossa – osa makasi valtatiellä Finnish
 * Olkiluodontiellä aika villiä toimintaa, 25 jo pidätetty Finnish
 * Olkiluodon sulutus jatkuu Poliisi kiistää loukkaantumisen Finnish
 * Poliisi otti kiinni ydinvoiman vastustajia Olkiluodossa – osa jo vapautettu Finnish
 * Olkiluodon mielenosoitus jatkuu yhä - 25 otettu kiinni Finnish
 * Olkiluodon mielenosoitus jatkuu yhä - useita otettu kiinni Finnish
 * Olkiluoto-mielenosoitus päättyi, poliisi otti kiinni noin 35 Finnish

Police denies injury:
 * Poliisi otti kiinni ydinvoiman vastustajia Olkiluodossa – osa jo vapautettu Finnish
 * Olkiluodon mielenosoittajat sulkivat tien – 25 otettiin kiinni Finnish
 * Olkiluodon mielenosoitus päättyi – kaikki 35 kiinniotettua vapautettu Finnish

Yle-TV:
 * YLE News Finnish
 * YLE News at 11 AM Finnish
 * YLE News at 5 PM Finnish

Past events

 * preparation meeting:
 * March 10, 2012 in Helsinki
 * May 5, 2012 in Tampere
 * camp preparation group meeting on April 14, 2012 in Eura
 * Atomic Café information event: February 26, 2012 at 4 PM in Helsinki