June 8th – 21st 2015
Energy company Fennovoima intends to start building a new nuclear power plant at the ecologically valuable Hanhikivi cape in Pyhäjoki, in Northern Ostrobothnia of Finland. Join us to stop the construction of this 100 000 year lasting problem, at its beginning!
Finnish energy policy is still stuck in the centralized production mode, and attempts to provide more nuclear power as a climate friendly solution, hiding the fact that nuclear power is an enemy of more sustainable and egalitarian forms of decentralized renewables. Decentralized and horizontal production of energy is just one part of the more equal society we are aiming for. The ecological crisis, and the social crisis in general, requires us to demolish the current model of economy and build alternatives where production provides for everyone’s needs.
A struggle against one irresponsible project is part of the global struggle for conditions of life itself. In recent years, socially and ecologically destructive projects have been stopped by the political power of the people joining forces to overturn political decisions. It is time to realize that also in Finland the acts of the people can be stronger than the words of politicians in making history.
During the camp we aim to learn and share skills and ideas for different forms of direct resistance. Participants are encouraged to provide program related to the topics. We prefer consensus decision making. Any kind of discrimination (sexism, homophobia, racism, etc.) is forbidden, and party political or nationalistic signs don’t belong in the camp.
Practical info (which you can also find from the blog: hyokyaalto.net)
The camp will be located mainly outdoors. If possible bring your own tent and sleeping bag and warm clothes. The recommended donation for food and other costs is 3-8 euros per day, but it’s negotiable, especially for people without income. Kids are welcome, but let us know beforehand if you are coming with kids, and what age they are, so that we can better prepare for all possible extra needs. If you would like to participate but you can’t sleep in a tent for some reason, let us know and we can help you find some other accomodation nearby, but be prepared for extra costs.
There will be solar power for charging mobiles or laptops, but mostly we will survive without electricity. Remember, the northern summer nights won’t be dark! It’s some kilometers to Pyhähoki town, we try to organize some extra bikes, but bring your own if possible!
Warnings! The cape is still, at least for a short while, an ecologically vulnerable area, so let’s not ruin it, even if the company is doing so. Several kinds of rare birds are nesting in the early summer, so if you know your dog loves hunting, it might be better to leave it elsewhere. Loud music or noise is not recommended. The dangerous animals living at the site are the disease-spreading ticks It’s recommended to use some tick prevention and DO A TICK CHECK EVERYDAY! More info about risks and prevention is available if you need it.
There will be a legal group that will inform about finnish law and practices, and help with possible trouble with the authorities, and a First Aid group formed by people with medical training. The food will be vegan. All working groups need more people to help, and drivers will also be needed. We wish that people will help with different tasks. People who take on responsibilites are not asked for donations for food.
Nearby, there will be another camp, “Better Energy!” Organized by Friends of the Earth and other organizations. There will be some shared program and actions. There’s different kinds of anti-nuclear people, so it’s good to have different kinds of camps. This doesn’t mean that anyone should feel forced to choose their camp – you are welcome to visit both of them! Better energy will provide more presentations on energy issues and a seminar on 13th of June, while our program will be more focused on action related important skills. Sunday 14th will be our common action day.
See: parempaavirtaa.com
Policy
We want to build a world where people have power over their lives and environment, beyond states and parlamentarism, so we wish to not see party political signs or nationalistic symbols in the camp. We fight for the earth, not for any nation!
The capitalist economy system is one reason for inequality, but not the only one. Power relations start in everyday interaction – our revolution starts from abandoning ethnical, sexual and gender based power relations, in practice: discriminating behavior due to someone’s underprivileged traits will definitely not be accepted.
We’ll have fun and enjoy the summer with wonderful people and new friends, but this time, it’s better to do without drugs or alcohol. This is an action camp, and it’s a safety matter that we keep ourselves sober. There’s a nice karaoke bar in town where you can probably open conversations on nuclear issues with the locals!
It’s an action camp – don’t take photos without asking permission. Still, bring your camera! There will be visual activities to shoot, too.
How to get there
It’s easiest to get to Finland by ferry, either Stocholm-Turku, Stocholm-Helsinki or Tallinn-Helsinki.
A bus will be organized to the camp from Helsinki (via Tampere) on 8th of June. Reserve a place in advance! If the bus places are filled early, we could arrange more rides! (The bus costs 15€ one way.)
Public busses: to Kokkola and Oulu (both 100km from Pyhäjoki) we aim to help with organizing rides from both cities. Also some connection to Raahe/Pyhäjoki.
There are train connections to Raahe, Oulu or Kokkola, check discounts early enough – otherwise really expensive!
By car or hitchhiking
From Turku: Straight road A8 from harbour in the direction of Pori (550km).
From Helsinki: A4/E75 to Jyväskylä, continue in Oulu direction, after Pihtipudas turn left to road 27 towards Haapajärvi. Turn right to E8 towards Pyhäjoki.
If you need a ride or you are coming by car with space for extra travellers, please contact us and we’ll try to help with arranging rides. There’s also a ride-share webpage to search for a cheap ride: kimppa.com
We don’t recommend flying, but as the location is quite distant it’s one understandable option, especially as the finnish public transport is quite expensive. The closest international airport is Oulu. There’s also cheap flights to Tampere, and our bus drives through Tampere.
If you want to come earlier, we sure would need help with arranging the camp! Also if you need accomodation on the way in e.g. Helsinki or Turku, contact us and we’ll arrange something.
Register by email as soon as possible, and you’ll help us a lot!
Email: hyokyaalto[at]riseup.net.
Tell us
– How many you are.
– When you are coming and for how long.
– If you need a ride or if you can offer one to someone else.
– If you bring kids (age) or bird-friendly dogs.
– If you can volunteer for some tasks or have some special skills that
could be useful (translation, art, driving licenses, diy energy skills,
anything)
– If you want to provide some program, with short description and
preferred dates.
– If you have allergies or any special needs we should know.
– How much you expect you’ll be able to donate for food and other costs.