Summer of Dissent in Iceland
13 Jul 2007 07:41 GMTIn Iceland a summer of dissent against heavy industry and large dams has begun. In a much disputed master-plan, all the glacial rivers and geothermal potential of the largest wilderness of Europe would be harnessed for aluminium production. Activists from around the world have gathered to protect Europe's largest remaining wilderness and oppose Rio Tinto/ALCAN, ALCOA, Century/RUSAL and other transnational companies.
Icelanders were joined by activists from Africa, South and North America and Europe for an international conference 'Global consequences of heavy industry and large dams' organized by Saving Iceland. "Progress is painted by some as huge projects, large scale development. In all our countries, these have become disasters, socially, ecologically and economically. Progress is a plenitude of small solutions. We should let a thousand flowers bloom," states a declaration from the conference, formulated by consensus by participants.
The conference looked at the effects of large dams on ecosystems, climate and communities, on the role of aluminium in the arms industry and military and on 'green-washing' strategies of large corporations. Activists also recognized the remarkable similarities in corporate strategies between their different countries and continents, on how communities and governments are manipulated and environmental impacts covered up.
A next conference is intended in Trinidad and Tobago, where local communities oppose an ALCOA aluminium smelter. Other campaigns that were presented included the Movimento dos Atingidos por Barragens (Movement of Dam Affected People, Brazil), Narmada Bachao Andolan (Save the Narmada Movement, India).
This week there have been a number of protests in Reykjavik. A dam was built in front of the prime ministers office and Reverend Billy of the Church of Stop Shopping held a sermon in Reykjavik's largest mall, connecting heavy industry with consumerism. Activists have now set up camp in Mosfellsheiði, South-West Iceland, near a Century aluminium smelter. Further direct actions and a street party have been announced for the 14th of July.
Saving Iceland held direct action camps in the east of Iceland in 2005 and 2006 opposing construction of the Karahnjukar dams and a smelter in Reydarfjordur.
Video's of the conference and a number of actions | 'Voice of the Wildernesss', magazine documenting struggles against large dams and heavy industry (pdf)
Indymedia UK | Indymedia Nederland
More information: www.savingiceland.org
Reykjavik's First Reclaim the Streets
Saving Iceland 15.Jul.2007 00:46
Police Brings Chaos to Rave against Heavy Industry
REYKJAVIK, July 14th - Today, Bastille-day, around a hundred people raved all over Reykjavik's ring road in a carnaval against heavy industry. Iceland's first Reclaim the Streets began cheerfully as Saving Iceland ran down Perlan and onto Reykjavik's western ring. A clown army danced to the beats down into the city centre. This Rave Agains the Machine was organized by Saving Iceland to "reclaim our public space, space to be free to dance, to be free from dreary industrial car culture and to voice a sound of festival in opposition to the grim industrialisation plans for Iceland," says a Saving Iceland activist.
"For years, people have petitioned, wrote to politicians and made legal arguments. Still there are at least three new aluminium smelters on the drawing board for the near future. We have to take radical direct action if we are to stop these. We have to do whatever we can to save the largest remaining wilderness in Europe."
Although a massive traffic jam ensued, many car drivers responded sympathetically.
When the crowd descended Snorribraut on it's way to Lauguvegur, the main shopping street, police blockaded the road and there was a standoff for an hour and a half. When the driver of the sound system tried to exit the vehicle, police attempted to arrest him, violently attacking bystanders. A number of people got injured and four arrested. Police went for people's throats, knocked people face down on the ground, leg-cuffed people and smashed a car window.
The crowd moved on to the police station down the road, and sympathizers welcomed us with a surprise second sound system. The police station was stormed by the international rebel clown army that has set up shop at Saving Iceland's camp in Mossfelsheidi. A number of people climbed the roof and hung down anti-heavy industry banners.
Police did a sortie, apparently with the sole purpose of a surprise arrest of a photographer.
Police have announced that the five people arrested will not be released tonight. It is currently uncertain on what charges they are being held, or what their medical condition is, since some were injured in their arrest.
On a brighter note, the Dutch RTL4 evening news showed an interview Iceland's environmental minister, Þórunn Sveinbjarnardóttir, who stated that she opposes new aluminium smelters in the country. The program also showed images from Saving Iceland's conference in Olfus last weekend.