(THIS ARTICLE IS MACHINE TRANSLATED by Google from Norwegian)
Of: Tina Vågenes
It's time to find chains and padlocks. We promise link actions if needed.
Nordic Mining is planning a mine in Sogn og Fjordane that will kill large parts of Førdefjorden. People in the area do not want this mine, and many are threatening to move far away. However, when the mining company claims that the locals are on their side, the arrogance really comes out. It's time to find chains and padlocks to stop them.
Yes, despite the professional no. The companies and lobbyists working for the Norwegian mineral industry celebrated 17. April this year. Then Nordic Mining got permission from the Government to blow up Engebøfjellet in Sogn og Fjordane and dump the waste in Førdefjorden. Everyone who cares about the conservation of nature and food production in the fjord, on the other hand, suffered a severe blow. The company agreed to dump 250 million tonnes of mining sludge and chemicals in the fjord, despite strong protests by the Institute of Marine Research and the Directorate of Fisheries, among others. How anyone can still trust that the Government is listening to professionals is difficult to understand for the environmental movement.
We promise link actions. After the decision came violent reactions, which the prime minister in known style will not acknowledge. "The case is settled," says Erna. There will probably be many disagreements. Nordic Mining lacks three licenses to start, as well as capital. Nature and Youth, together with the Nature Conservation Association, Vevring and Førdefjorden Environmental Group have appealed the decision to the King in the Council of State and the EFTA Court. And perhaps most importantly – we promise link actions to stop the mine if needed.
When over 1700 people have expressed their willingness to act illegally, there must be hope.
Link actions are a well-known concept within the conservation and environmental movement. Many people are aware of the violent protests during the Alta struggle in the 70s and 80s, and the impact of the actions. The activists who were arrested did not win the case – but by breaking the law they won something bigger. Deputy Representative Rasmus Hansson spent a month in prison in connection with the actions at the Alta watercourse. Today, it would perhaps be more difficult to get 800 shareholders to an illegal camp in Finnmark in the middle of the worst winter time. But still: When over 1700 people have stated their willingness to act illegally for Førdefjord and Repparfjord, where mining dumps are also planned, there must be hope.
A proud tradition. How does one stop a mining project in which both the Minister of Industry, Climate and Environment and the Minister of Municipal and Modernization have put their prestige in? That a right-wing government will blow up a mountain and dump it in a fjord should not shock, but it may feel hopeless to have to stop the plans. Although many view civil disobedience as extreme, it has long been a recognized way to fight a case. Gandhi and the liberation in India, the struggle for the rights of blacks in the United States and the fight for women's rights have used non-violent civil disobedience to win. For many, it is a proud tradition the environmental movement now continues for the Fordefjord.
Still many opportunities. It may seem that Nordic Mining is not very far from starting the rut mine from Engebøfjellet. But until the pipe is laid in the fjord, there is no reason to give up. There are still many opportunities to stop them. At the local elections in September, the composition of the municipal councils in Sunnfjord can be changed and the local approval removed. A ruling by the ESA, the EEA Surveillance Authority, could make the government's decision itself illegal. The Directorate for Mineral Management may refuse a license. But perhaps most importantly: The 1700 people who have expressed their willingness to link up can also stop Nordic Mining. Ten activists sitting in front of an excavator have more to say than any of the world's celebrities from eager politicians. Over a thousand shareholders can hit even harder. Breaking the law is something that environmentalists do not take lightly – we rarely do. But to save our fjords, we must do what it takes.
Vågenes is a member of the Central Board in Nature and Youth. Comment from collaboration with Radical Portal. tina@nu.no.
