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Etusivulle/to the front page

Welcome to Olkiluoto Blockade Camp 6 – 13 August 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 the rest of Europe is 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:

olkiluotoblockade [at] riseup.net

olkiluotoblockade2012.wordpress.com

olkiluotoblockade.info

twitter.com: @BlockOlkiluoto

*****You will find information about current events connected to the blockade in the blogpage Tapahtumat/current events

*****Underneath there is some general information and info about the 2011 past action:

Welcome to the Olkiluotoblockade2011 reminiscence meeting in Tampere on Sunday September 11^th!

During the evening, we will remember the past and plan for the future of the anti-nuclear activities. You are also welcome to participate even if you haven´t previously participated in the activities and happenings.

Meeting begins at 1pm at kulttuuritalo Telakka, Tullikamarin aukio 3.

Backround:

For about four years, the grassroots antinuclear movement in Finland has experienced a spike in activity. This has been necessary due to the longer and larger push by governments and corporations to promote nukiller power, to commit humanity to a legacy of fatal contamination zones for thousands upon thousands of years, to commit us to acts of genocide against the earth and the all indigenous inhabitants of this world. This has been an urgent, necessary, and natural reaction to  this severe threat to our collective survival.

Local, regional and international gatherings and skill shares have been hosted in Finland to spread information and skills. Among other things, demonstrations, small actions, a 4 month occupation camp of a uranium claim in Lapland, and 2 large blockades of Olkiluoto nuclear waste construction facility have been inspired and created by thousands of us.

Some believe the time has come for this moment to change, and grow. For a movement to be sustainable and successful, it must be able to learn, adapt, and transform to its environment. Run-away Climate change and consumption, uranium mining and nuclear holocaust, radioactive waste and depleted uranium warfare need to be confronted and countered.

For this, your help is urgently needed.

You are invited to an assessment and future planning meeting on September 11, 2011 in Tampere, for all those interested in helping prevent horrendous acts of terrorism by the nuclear industry.

The central core of this discussion will be resistance to Olkiluoto, the last 2 blockades, and the future of Olkiluoto Blockades. However, we hope that wider discussions can also happen regarding uranium mining, new construction, old waste and so on.

Ota yhteyttä / kontakt / contact: olkiluotoblockade [at] riseup.net

15.8. newest information about accommondation and transportation!

• The email address for Aseistakieltäytyjäliitto bus reservation has been wrong, the right one is: toimisto [at] akl-web.fi or tel.358-(0)40-8362786     Please contact them as soon as possible if you have reserved a place and have not gotten a response! Sorry about the inconvenience!
• The Aseistakieltäytyjäliitto bus will also drive via Turku, for more information contact: toimisto [at] akl-web.fi or tel.358-(0)40-8362786
• The accommondation at the camping site costs 5 euros per night per an adult and 1 euro per a child under 12. See more on “Accommndation” underneath.
• The infophone of Olkiluotoblockade will open tomorrow 16th of August: 358-(0)40-3773675.  It will be open from 4pm to 6pm Finnish time (3pm to 5pm middle European time and 2pm to 4pm British time) from Tuesday to Thursday and on Friday more or less the whole day. You can get information in English, Swedish or German about all the practical things concerning the blockade or ask for a local lift from for example Rauma centre to the camping site.
• If you are in Turku on Friday 19th of August, you can go to Kirjakahvila (Book Café), address: Vanha Suurtori 3  (inner yard), close to Turku Catedhral, between 11:00-13:00 to ask for more information about Olkiluotoblockade (in Swedish, English or Finnish).

OLKILUOTO NUCLEAR POWER PLANT BLOCKADE ON SATURDAY AUGUST 20th 2011 in Finland

Crowd of anti-nuclear citizens will gather this year on 20th of August on front of Olkiluoto nuclear power station to demonstrate for safer and more sustainable future. Few big companies share the profits made of nuclear power, but the consequences of the radioactive pollution are burdened on ordinary people all around the globe. When the decision-makers do not respect the good of people, people must take action. Join us!

The first Olkiluoto blockade action of 200 people took place 28th of August 2010. People were dancing, sitting, chatting, chaining, eating, singing and watching several performances on the roads on Olkiluoto. The event stopped the traffic in the main road leading to the power station for the whole day and also for shorter times the main highway nearby and smaller to the power station. Feel welcomed to join this year! There will be more information about the event and how to join soon in this blog.

Some links to information and photos from last year:

http://olkiluotoblockade.info/index.php/Olkiluoto_Blockade

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ydinvoimavapaa_maailma/

You can also follow the event on Twitter: @BlockOlkiluoto or join Mauri Blockader as a friend in Facebook

All the information on practical arrangements, law-issues etc. in English is gathered to this page. Any questions? Contact: olkiluotoblockade [at] riseup.net

In this current blog, click on the tag “English” for finding blog posts written in English or with an English summary.

You might  also find our old webpages helpfull:http://olkiluotoblockade.info/index.php/Olkiluoto_Blockade .

Coming up: An infoevent in Tampere 15.8. Place: Hirvitalo yard, Hirvikatu 10. Time: klo 19:00-21:00. We might change the place after 19:00, so be punctual!

Accommondation:

• You can sleep in your own tent in Poroholma camping site in Rauma. Opposite to the information we received before, the camping site is not free but costs 5 euros per night per an adult and 1 euro per a child under 12.
• Its also possible to rent small cabins in a reasonable price (4-6 people / 65-90euros per night) at the campsite. If you want to make a reservation beforehand, contact the campsite. Poroholma website in English: http://www.poroholma.fi/index.php
• Women for Peace (Naiset Rauhan Puolesta) has made reservations for cabins in connection with the busride (see underneath) from Helsinki. Price per night is 20e/person. Reservation and payment latest on 13.8. to: lea.launokari(at)nettilinja.fi Bank account: name: NAISET RAUHAN PUOLESTA account number:  405500-1135032 (Aktia bank)
• It is also possible to sleep in the forests of Olkiluoto island and surroundings (not at sight from houses or summer cottages) for three nights without a permission from a land-owner. The right is based on an old North-European custom and  known as “everyman’s right”.

How to get there:

• The closest town to Olkiluoto is Eurajoki (also name of the district), and the closest bigger town is Rauma, and the closest city is Pori. For region maps go to http://maps.google.com/ and search for “Eurajoki”.  Olkiluoto is located on the west coast of Finland.
• From Helsinki: There will be one bus leaving from Helsinki for Olkiluoto on Friday 19th of August: At 6pm Aseistakieltäytyjäliitto (antimilitarist organization AKL) bus from Rauhanasema, Veturitori 3, near to Pasila railway station. Price 25e (members) or 35e (non-members) More information/reservations: toimisto [at] akl-web.fi or tel.358-(0)40-8362786
• From Turku: Aseistakieltäytyjäliitto bus will drive via Turku. People are picked up from Railway station at 20:30. More info/reservations: toimisto [at] akl-web.fi or tel.358-(0)40-8362786

• From Tampere there will be minibuses leaving for Olkiluoto on Friday 19th of August. Price 10 euros per person. More information ans seat reservations: olkiluotoblockade [at] gmail.com
• The webpages for long-distance buses (timetables, routes and other info) is matkahuolto.fi (info both in Swedish and English). There is bus connections to Olkiluoto, Eurajoki and Rauma from any city in Finland.
• From local area it’s possible to arrange minibus rides to the campingsite and to Olkiluoto. The phonenumber will be announced later.
• The webpage for trains in Finland is vr.fi (info both in Swedish and English)

Other:

• There will be an info-event at Poroholma camping site on Fri 19thof August.
• There will be sauna at Poroholma camping site on the evening of August 20th, and possibly a debriefing-event.

The principles of the blockade:

Every participant will commit her/himself to the principles of peacefull civil disobedience. The first one is that no harm is to be caused to any living being.
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, hbtl-phobia, or any other forms of oppressive behavior.

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.

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

General instructions:

There will be an info-event at Poroholma camping site on Friday 19th of August. More information about the infoevent will be given later.

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.

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!

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 ====
# 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
# To check your identity,
# If you are suspected of committing a crime,
# If you are likely to be dangerous to yourself or others,
# If it’s suspected that you likely are going to commit a crime or endangering general safety.<br/>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!).
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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!
# 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 ====
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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!
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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 ====
# 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.
# 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.<br/>If your income is low, the state will often cover your legal aid costs.
# 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.
# 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.
# Don’t accept any interrogation without your lawyer.
# 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.
# Don’t tell the police anything outside the interrogations.
# 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.