Olkiluoto Blockade 2010/Join the Blockade

How to take part in the action?
WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU TO THE BLOCKADE:


 * ID: passport, identity card… (helps with possible encounter with the police)
 * Water bottle with water (no alcohol)
 * Something to eat (it’s possible to buy some food at the spot, but as it’s impossible to know beforehand how many people will appear, it’s best to take food with you. There’s no shops open nearby.)
 * Clothes to suit the weather. The weather is unpredictable: the weather can be quite hot and sunny, but rain is also possible. Be prepared to different kinds of weather. It’s anyhow still quite warm in Finland in August.)

(Do not take with you: alcohol or drugs – exept for medical purposes – or anything which can be interpreted as a weapon: paper knife for example).

MEETING POINT TO GO TO THE BLOCKADE:
 * On 28.8. EVERYONE should meet at a parking place of ‘Ydinportti’ gas station in the junction of Raumantie and Olkiluodontie, at 6:00am!
 * After briefing and party in the evening of August 28, at Nihattula school (Oikopolku 25, 26560 Kolla - 8 km from Rauma to Lappi direction).

If you are arranging transportation, have space in your car, helicopter, submarine, or boat; please inform us:olkiluotoblockade AT riseup.net[1] or through: olkiluotoblockade.wordpress.com

The idea of the event: A growing number of anti-nuclear groups and organizations have declared Saturday 28.8.2010 to be a day of action at the Olkiluoto nuclear power plant. The idea is both to have a demonstration, and to use different techniques to block the roads leading to the NPP. Nuclear industry with the blessing of Finnish government has gone too far and stepped on too many people. We cannot trust the industrial companies or the politicians who are in bed with them. We want to encourage one another to take back our autonomy.

This will be the first publicly announced blockade in Finland. Neither Reclaim the street events nor critical masses have had any trouble in Finland. All the participants will be committed to the most important principle of civil-disobedience: The action must not harm living things. We want the official authorities to act according to the same principle. We are inviting everyone to join us. You can choose the way of participating that suits you best, such as having a picnic in front of the nuclear power plant (people having a snack on the road), forming human chains in front of the gates etc. You can also form a small group of your own and come up with your own ideas to blockade the roads to the nuclear power plant for the day.

Instructions: It is recommended to form a group, either before the action or upon arrival. Members of the group could be you neighbors, co-workers etc. Group members should take care of one another in the crowd of people. Please, get to know the principles of the action (below).

You can come by car, hitchhike, use public transport, ride a bike or share a ride with a group. There will be more information on transport on this website. Following the web-pages of groups joining the blockade is a good idea as well as asking the groups directly.

On this website, there is links to road-maps, driving instructions and legal advice.

Make sure you have enough water, food and clothes with you! We also hope people will bring antinuclear-banners and slogans (and they could even be used en route to Olkiluoto). For the picnic you could bring musical instruments, tablecloths, chairs, tables, boardgames... Lets reclaim space from the nuclear industry for the use of common people!

The principles of the blockade: Your actions will have an effect on other people present, so be responsible. No alcohol, drugs or weapons of any kind. No national flags or symbols of political parties. There is no room for violence, sexism, racism, or any other forms of oppressive behavior.

Groups and organizations: If your group wants to support the blockade officially, you can send an e-mail with the name of your group/organization to: [mailto:olkiluotoblockadeATriseup.net olkiluotoblockadeATriseup.net]

Of course you can join the blockade without announcing it beforehand!

Please promote the blockade actively! Flyers can be ordered from the email address mentioned above or they can be printed from this web page. Start planning your transportation. Surely there will be people interested in joint rides outside of the organizations, just remember to advertise so you have enough people to fill the bus and make it cheaper!

Reserve food and water for the passengers.

Other practical information
 * There will be a bus from Helsinki to Olkiluoto on Friday the 27th of August, leaving Helsinki in the afternoon. The cost of the travel will be approx.15-40 euros per person. If you want to take the bus, contact:
 * There will be a bus arranged also from Tampere, contact: mauriblockader [AT] rocketmail.com, or puh: +358-00-405330617
 * Blockade briefing on the previous night on 27.8 at 9pm at Nihattula school (Oikopolku 25, 26560 Kolla - 8 km from Rauma to Lappi direction).
 * It's possible to sleep nights at Nihattula school over the weekend.
 * On 28.8. meeting place will be at a parking place of a gas station in the junction of Raumantie and Olkiluodontie, at 6:00am (note! new time!),
 * After briefing and party in the evening of August 28, at Nihattula school (Oikopolku 25, 26560 Kolla - 8 km from Rauma to Lappi direction).

If you are arranging a transportation, please inform us in [mailto:olkiluotoblockadeATriseup.net olkiluotoblockade AT riseup.net]

We are expecting a nice, relaxed happening; but it is possible that the police decides to arrest people. People have constitutional right to demonstrate, but if a person does not follow police's orders (for example the police has to carry people away) s/he is usually detained and fined. The fined amount depends on your monthly income. The police will usually give three "warnings" before starting to detain people. Learn about your rights beforehand, and prepare for the consequences of your actions. Legal aid group helps at the blockade, and it will also be possible to consult a lawyer.

Legal information
'''Know your rights! Arrest, Detainment and Interrogation.'''

Detention

 * 1) The right to detain belongs to the police and security guards, but in many cases also with anyone (common right to detain). Legally, you can be detained
 * 2) * To check your identity,
 * 3) * If you are suspected of committing a crime,
 * 4) * If you are likely to be dangerous to yourself or others,
 * 5) * If it's suspected that you likely are going to commit a crime or endangering general safety. You do not have to give your personal information to anyone except the police (and then only your Name, Nationality, Address and Social Security Number or date of birth!).
 * 6) A civil-clad police officer or security guard is obliged to show their credentials when asked. And also when asked, they always have to prove that they are on duty before they have the right to use the mandate of their profession. Always ask for the names of the police you are dealing with - if they don't respond to a kind request, inform the legal aid. Security guards always have to show their security guard card, and give the name and contact information of the leader of their company (their boss), when asked.
 * 7) If you are taken to jail, it's allowed to take away your personal belongings, and everything that you could hurt yourself with - safety pins, bras, etc. You can ask to get books, magazines, playing cards etc that you have with you into the cell. You also have the right to get Pen and Paper. Before you are put into jail you are asked about diseases or medications, and this is the right moment to tell for example about vegetarian/vegan diet or allergies, even if they will not ask separately about them.
 * 8) You can legally be held up to 12 hours. If the crime you are suspected of has a maximum sentence of a year or more (f.ex. vandalism), you can be held for 24 hours, because there are prerequisites for detention. After 24 hours you must either be informed about that you are being arrested or you must be let free. If you are arrested, you can be held for up to three days.
 * 9) The detained person has the right to food within their own diet, but only if the detainment is longer than 12 hours. However, you do have the right to drinking water if you want. You also have the right to healthcare (any wounds?) and to receipt medication if you have it with you. If you have gotten damage in the course of the detention, go to a doctor to photograph them immediately when you get out of jail.
 * 10) You do not have the right to phone calls. If you're not adult, your caretaker must immediately be informed when you are put into detention.
 * 11) When you are let out, you are asked to sign a paper stating that you have gotten back all your confiscated belongings. It is best to not agree to sign before you have checked your belongings thoroughly. Also check if there have been calls made from your cellphone or if your diary is in the wrong place. You don't have to sign the paper, even if everything is alright!
 * 12) Don't despair and don't get depressed. Do things! Yoga, exercise, stretching, ask for pen and paper to write and draw, make juggling balls out of your socks... Remember that you haven't been forgotten in jail. Outside, people are thinking and caring of you, and possibly they have tried to send you books and food, even if you don't know it.

Interrogation

 * 1) The interrogation begins only when you have been told your standing in the interrogation (suspect, witness or plaintiff), of what you possibly are suspected, and your right to have assistance. As suspect, you cannot be demanded to say anything in the interrogations or outside of them. Demand to have your rights in print, because otherwise you maybe won't hear all of them. You have the right to get your right in print however badly the police station's copying machine is broken.
 * 2) If possible, demand to have a lawyer present as interrogation assistance. If you have been detained for example in a demonstration, and the legal aid group has gotten informed about it, a lawyer might be waiting for you already at the police station. If a lawyer is present, you will probably be treated more properly, but always ask a lawyer you know or you have been recommended. If you are under 18, you can demand to have your caretaker present. It is not allowed to interrogate someone under 18 years without a witness present.
 * 3) If you are interrogated as a witness, you have to answer the interrogator's questions, and you're obliged to stay to the truth. You can, however, refuse to answer questions on the grounds that you fear that you or your close affine (spouse, child etc) will get accused. You also have the right to refuse to answer irrelevant questions.
 * 4) If you are interrogated as a suspect, you only have to tell the police your name, nationality, address and social security number or date of birth. All other questions you can refuse to answer. A suspect does not have to keep to the truth.
 * 5) As a suspect, the safest thing is to answer all questions with "No comments", even if you're innocent, unless you want to cause trouble for others. Other working answers are "I don't remember", "I didn't recognize the person" and "I deny totally that i'm guilty of any crime". The police doesn't ask innocent questions, and the police have to prove you guilty - you don't have to prove your innocence!
 * 6) During interrogations you may get irrelevant questions or comments about your looks, sexual or political orientation or IQ level. Demand that every question and comment be written in the interrogation protocol, even if you don't answer them. Don't get provocated - the best way to hit back is to remain silent.
 * 7) Never tell anyone else's name, and don't make yourself or others more suspect. Don't talk with the police outside of the interrogations.
 * 8) You do not have to sign the interrogation protocol. Check it anyway, and demand to have everything changed that doesn't match exactly what you said. Don't sign anything in any case - you don't have to.
 * 9) Interrogators often rely on peoples' naivety and fear. Keep unmoved and don't make contradictions. It's important that you know your rights, hold on to them and know what you are doing. The only way to keep your good position is to talk as little as possible and answer "No comments" or "I deny it".

Arrest

 * 1) If you are informed that you are arrested, demand your rights in print straight away. The rights of the arrested must be found at every jail.
 * 2) Get a reliable and good lawyer. If you don't know any in advance, contact the legal aid group or ask your friends outside, who are not suspected of the same crime, to get you one. Don't accept a lawyer offered by the police. If your income is low, the state will often cover your legal aid costs.
 * 3) A proper lawyer doesn't ask anything unnecessary, and does not advice you to act against your own will. You can change your lawyer if you want to.
 * 4) Try to get the word out that you are in detention. If you request it, the police is obliged to inform your parents, your siblings and your partner.
 * 5) Don't accept any interrogation without your lawyer.
 * 6) The "No comments" answer is the best and easiest way to make the investigations harder: it helps you, and also the people who are still free. It's especially useful for demonstrations and similar: If you prove yourself innocent, it means more pressure on someone else. With many people and little evidence, it's likely that most charges will get dropped if they don't get more information.
 * 7) Don't tell the police anything outside the interrogations.
 * 8) If they tell you, that unless you talk, you'll be detained for three days and then put in prison for the duration of the investigations, don't believe it. Confessing is an easy way to make your own situation worse.