Greenpeace raids nuclear reactor
Date: 18-Dec-01
Country: AUSTRALIA
More than 20 activists embarrassed security staff at the Sydney nuclear research reactor yesterday, which has been on a heightened state of alert since the September 11 U.S. attacks, by parking a van between its gates when they were opened to allow another vehicle through and running into the complex.
Some protesters, dressed as barrels of nuclear waste, ran towards the reactor building, while others scaled it and the radio tower. One protester jumped from a smoke stack and parachuted to the ground with an anti-nuclear banner.
"Greenpeace is here to put safety of the people of Sydney and the environment first," said Greenpeace campaigner Stephen Campbell.
Extra security staff arrived on the scene after about 15 minutes and started ejecting the protesters. The protest lasted some three hours, with police arresting 24 activists for trespassing.
The Australian government plans to build a new reactor to replace the ageing Lucas Heights facility at the same site in a southern Sydney suburb. Many residents oppose the plan.
Greenpeace said its protest was not only against the new reactor, but to highlight the lack of security surrounding the existing nuclear facility.
The Australian government increased security staff and imposed a no-fly zone over Lucas Heights after the hijack aircraft attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon in the United States on September 11.