PR:Anti-nuclear Action Summer Camp in Kiel. Gathering of International Activists to Stop Atomic Transports

Media Release Monday, July 21, 2014 - For immediate release -

Anti-nuclear Action Summer Camp in Kiel

Gathering of International Activists to Stop Atomic Transports
KIEL / BALTIC SEA - On August 9-16, concerned citizens, activists and families from around the Baltic Sea and other regions will target the international transports of nuclear materials on Kiel Canal, the 100 km waterway connecting North Sea and Baltic Sea. They will gather in Altenholz, about five kilometers from Kiel, capital of the German federal state of Schleswig-Holstein. Besides action days on August 10 and 14, there will be workshops, lectures and actions, preparation of campaigns as well as time for networking. The camp is the biggest regional anti-nuclear event in 2014 in the watershed of the Baltic Sea.

Kiel Canal with more than 33,000 ships per year is the world's most frequented artificial waterway. It is of high importance for the global atomic industry for supplying nuclear facilities all over Europe. In Germany many of the transports start from or end at the Gronau uranium enrichment facility or at the Lingen nuclear fuel fabrication factory. Other destinations include Russia, Sweden, France, Switzerland and Netherlands. Regular container ships transport radioactive material such as uranium oxide concentrate ("yellowcake"), uranium hexafluoride, uranium oxide pellets and nuclear fuel. The shipments are at high risk due to the high frequency of ship movements on Kiel Canal and because of the transport of several types of hazardous goods next to each other. Accidents are no exception in the region: For instance, in May 2013 the container ship "Atlantic Cartier" burned in Hamburg harbour loaded with explosives, ethanol, uranium hexafluoride and nuclear fuel. In autumn 2013 the Russian container ship "Mikhail Lomonosov" hit a sailing yacht on the Baltic Sea near Rügen island.

Anti-nuclear activists around the Baltic Sea will teach each other skills and knowledge, exchange experiences, plan projects and campaigns and take part in actions against atomic transports. Networking between activists and organizers from different regions and fields are another aim of the international camp.

"We will challenge the nuclear industry, which continues to push forwards their hazardous projects ignoring the disasters in Chernobyl and Fukushima," says activist Hanna Poddig. "Gathering activists from many countries, we want to strengthen the anti-nuclear movements around the Baltic Sea and empower each other. We will campaign against atomic transports, uranium mining and nuclear waste. In contrast to public debates on nuclear phaseout, the industry wants to continue businuess as usual. Extensive actions and mutual campaigns can stop them."

The camp is being organized by various groups and activists across Germany. One of them is the "ATOMIC BALTIC", which is a network/project of anti-nuclear groups and activists in the Baltic Sea watershed. It's main goal is to strengthen local anti-nuclear struggles around the Baltic Sea by connecting activists, starting up new initiatives and supporting campaigns against the nuclear business. The ATOMIC BALTIC network/project provides a platform for exchange including internet tools and meetings. Activists, groups and all interested people around the Baltic Sea are invited to join this international camp.

Water makes the communities in the watershed of the Baltic Sea close neighbours - even though some of them are more than 1,000 kilometers away. Seven countries are affected: Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. In addition, Russia, Germany and Belarus partly share the Baltic Sea watershed. The Baltic Sea is not only important as a food source for millions of people, but also an important recreation area for many more - and it is a transport medium for poisonous emissions from more than 60 atomic facilities discharging pollutants to water and air. Thus, the Baltic Sea is connecting needs and interests of human populations of a wide area forming an unique community.

Detailed information on ATOMIC BALTIC and the international summer camp as well as updates are available online: http://AtomicBaltic.nuclear-heritage.net

Notes to Journalists and Editors: You are welcome to contact us, if you have questions, for interviews, background information and to request photo material on anti-nuclear actions in the Baltic Sea region via landline phone +49 3431 5894177 or e-mail to [mailto:mediaATnuclear-heritageDOTnet media AT nuclear-heritage DOT net]. You can also the website:
 * http://atomicbaltic.nuclear-heritage.net

Media contacts:
 * Kristine Ceirane, Latvia [mailto:kristinATnuclear-heritageDOTnet kristin AT nuclear-heritage DOT net]
 * Marcin Harembski, Poland [mailto:monitoratomATsieDOTorgDOTpl monitoratom AT sie DOT org DOT pl]

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

website: http://nuclear-heritage.net email: [mailto:contactATnuclear-heritageDOTnet contact AT nuclear-heritage DOT net]

phone: +49 3431 5894177

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This media release has been provided by the "Nuclear Heritage Network". It is an international network of anti-nuclear activists. This informal alliance supports the worldwide anti-nuclear work. The Nuclear Heritage Network is no label, has no standard opinion and no representatives. All activists of the network speak for themselves or for the groups they represent.