from Stop New Nuclear Alliance
On October 8, six protesters were arrested during a mass trespass at the Hinkley Point nuclear power station in Somerset, England.
Around 30 people went over the perimeter fence of the land earmarked for two new EPR mega-reactors next to the existing power plant just after dawn. Three people attached themselves to the fence with bicycle locks. More than 20 others gathered outside the main gate.
Dozens fanned out around the 5-mile long fence while others held banners and placards outside the main security gate. A 14-foot banner reading, “Nuclear disaster zone. Boycott EDF” was hung across the gate.
At 11 a.m., a total of 577 seed balls were thrown over the fence onto the construction area in a symbolic attempt to repair the damage already caused to the land. The seed balls represent the number of days since the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan.
The mood was relaxed and celebratory. “This is a major victory for the anti-nuclear movement,” said Camilla Berens, spokesperson for the Stop New Nuclear Alliance, “because the government has refused to listen to us and we have been forced to raise the game. We have successfully blockaded the main entrance to Hinkley Point on two occasions in the last year and now we have accomplished a mass trespass. Our message today is that we will continue to raise the game with peaceful protest until our voice in heard.”
She continued, “The government’s new nuclear policy is on its knees. Investors are pulling out left, right and centre. Even EDF Energy is looking for new partners to fund the Hinkley C project. It’s time to bin nuclear for good and look at countries like Germany that are creating an energy future that is safe, affordable and nuclear-free.”
Photographs of the trespass are available at the Stop New Nuclear website: stopnewnuclear.org.uk/reclaimhinkley/photos.