Irish Protestors chained at Sellafield
national |
miscellaneous |
news report 
Saturday September 14, 2002 11:02
by Tim - Gluaiseacht
00447714200895
At the time of writing 11am Saturday Morning the visitor centre has been closed to the general public and Police have arrived with cutting equipment.
Anti- nuclear activists have this morning occupied the visitors centre at Sellafield. The activists are members of an Irish environmental and social justice called Gluaiseacht.
They say their action is in objection to the many scandals and malpractices of British Nuclear Fuels Ltd, which runs the plant in Cumbria.
Protester Tracey Ryan said “we have chosen the occasion of the return of the rejected MOX shipment to highlight the dangers, incompetence and dishonesty of the nuclear industry”.
In the early hours of Saturday morning the group climbed up onto the Visitors Centre roof and dropped banners proclaiming the visitor centre to be a disinformation centre and calling on BNFL to “tell the British public the truth”.
Activist Chris O’Keefe said “BNFL is playing dangerous games with people’s lives and their money. This MOX shipment is being returned because BNFL falsified safety data. £470 million of taxpayers’ money was spent building a MOX plant that nobody wants. Enough is enough.”
Gluaiseacht have protested on a number of occasions at Sellafield, highlighting the dangers to people on both sides of the Irish Sea, which is considered to be one of the most radioactive bodies of water in the world.
Dozens of countries have already protested at the MOX shipments passing by their shores. The group calls upon British and Irish people to work together to end reprocessing and begin to decommission Sellafield.
Contact
Tim Hourigan Gluaiseacht 0044 771 4200895
Sellafield Visitor Centre 0044 1946 727027
0044 1946 727021
bnfl Hinton house risley 0044 1925 832 000
Enquiries 0044 1925 822 711
Sellafield 0044 1946 728 333
Comments (6 of 6)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6Fair Play, keep up the good work.
Please keep us updated, Thanx :)
That sounds cool guys. Wish I could be there. Well done to all involved!!
Cool enough news. I'm just wondering does anyone know what is going on with them now? I heard all four of the lads were arrested. He, he, he - but now I'm wondering have they been released/charged or what? Please if anyone knows tell us.
Clare
The Sunday Times is reporting four arrests and excellent banners. Unfortunately they won't let you read the article online (It's bizarrely titled "Irish Navy to Monitor Shipments").
Well I read on teletext today that they were all out on bail and will have to appear in court in Whitehaven in about 9 days time.
Yesterday morning the charges against the "Rooftop Four" were dropped.
Richie, Tracey, Chris and barry had been charged under section 5 of the UK Public Order Act 1986
for "Aggressive, threatening behaviour or public disorder likely to cause alarm distress or insult to a person within sight or hearing" - crap basically as it was a very peaceful protests, no violence, vandalism or unwanted conversation with the staff or police. I was there for 10 hours in front of the centre keeping an eye on everyone and phoning the media.
The pictures should be available shortly, but they show 4 happy smiling people getting on with a rooftop occupation, the staff and police were greeted respectfully and the whole atmosphere was fairly professional.
I have been talking to two of the four since the charges were dropped. they're disappointed not to get their day in court to highlight the culture of lies that BNFL operates in.
This campagin needs more support, and not just moral support. We need people lobbying and protesting. Come on the next protest, if you can't make the journey, get to the British embassy, or write them letters, raise money to help pay for the protests. GET INVOLVED.
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