Greenpeace Backs Rally Against Nuclear Waste in Germany
- 14 years ago
One of the largest anti-nuclear rallies in years is staged in Germany. Two activists manage to delay a train transporting nuclear waste through the country.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators taking part in one of the largest anti-nuclear rallies in years on Saturday.
The protest comes as a train controversially transports 154 tons of nuclear waste from France to Germany.
The protesters say the German people are united against nuclear power.
[Kumi Naidoo, Executive Director, Greenpeace International]:
"At least 75 percent of German people oppose the nuclear madness. People get it. I mean people understand that in fact the reason why we oppose nuclear is that it is too expensive, it's too dangerous and it will deliver too little too late to actually have the kind of impact we need by 2015 to avoid catastrophic climate change."
In the early hours of Sunday morning, two anti-nuclear activists were successful in stopping the train.
Hanging from ropes above the tracks -- dangerously close to power cables -- the activists staged a mid-air blockade.
The train was halted as police made it safe for the train to pass below.
[Peter Dittel, Police Spokesperson]:
"The police have blocked off the area and the two activists were asked to stop their action. They did not do this, however, so electricity from the high power cable was cut in order to remove any danger. The train was then able to move at a slow speed under the activists."
Nuclear waste transportation has become a tense political issue this year for Chancellor Angela Merkel.
She's faced criticism over a decision to extend the lifespan of 17 nuclear power plants in the face of overwhelming public opposition.
Anti-nuclear protesters have often clashed with police in the past, and a force of some 20,000 officers was on hand to secure the shipment.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators taking part in one of the largest anti-nuclear rallies in years on Saturday.
The protest comes as a train controversially transports 154 tons of nuclear waste from France to Germany.
The protesters say the German people are united against nuclear power.
[Kumi Naidoo, Executive Director, Greenpeace International]:
"At least 75 percent of German people oppose the nuclear madness. People get it. I mean people understand that in fact the reason why we oppose nuclear is that it is too expensive, it's too dangerous and it will deliver too little too late to actually have the kind of impact we need by 2015 to avoid catastrophic climate change."
In the early hours of Sunday morning, two anti-nuclear activists were successful in stopping the train.
Hanging from ropes above the tracks -- dangerously close to power cables -- the activists staged a mid-air blockade.
The train was halted as police made it safe for the train to pass below.
[Peter Dittel, Police Spokesperson]:
"The police have blocked off the area and the two activists were asked to stop their action. They did not do this, however, so electricity from the high power cable was cut in order to remove any danger. The train was then able to move at a slow speed under the activists."
Nuclear waste transportation has become a tense political issue this year for Chancellor Angela Merkel.
She's faced criticism over a decision to extend the lifespan of 17 nuclear power plants in the face of overwhelming public opposition.
Anti-nuclear protesters have often clashed with police in the past, and a force of some 20,000 officers was on hand to secure the shipment.