Hundreds of Greenpeace activists broke through the barriers of a steel giant Tata Steel production site in Velsen, near Amsterdam, on Saturday to demonstrate there despite a formal ban from local authorities.
They were protesting against the pollution caused by the activities of this factory, considered by the environmental defense organization as “one of the most polluting metallurgical factories in Europe and located in the middle of a densely populated area”.
“Together, Greenpeace Netherlands, local residents and activists are demanding that the most toxic parts of Tata Steel be shut down to protect the health of nearby residents,” Greenpeace said in a statement on Saturday.
“There are very high cancer numbers here as well as lead emissions causing brain damage in young children. We are taking action today because the government is not doing enough.” Faiza Oulahsen, climate and energy director of Greenpeace Netherlands, told AFP during the protest.
“As a nurse, I know what having lung cancer means to people and their families, it’s really not something you would like to have…”, also told AFP Annigje Bos, who also came to take part in the gathering.
“This factory here in the Netherlands is literally making people sick,” said Rose van Vuuren, another protester.
In a statement, Tata Steel condemned the action. “It is unacceptable for Greenpeace protesters to enter the company’s industrial grounds even though access to it is conditioned by strict security rules. They can cause unintentional accidents, disrupt company operations and be at risk. ‘origin of significant risks for the health and safety of people and the environment’, reacted the group.
In support of the Greenpeace demonstration, seven members of the environmental movement Extinction Rebellion chained themselves for several hours on Saturday to a railway track connected to the industrial site.
They were finally dislodged and arrested by the police before being transported by bus to Driehuis station, where they were released, the municipality of Velsen said in a statement.
Under the name of “together for a healthy air”, another demonstration supported by local organizations for the defense of the environment also took place on Saturday on a beach near the site.
The possible presence of demonstrators on the grounds of Tata Steel had for several days been the subject of a dispute between the local authorities and Greenpeace.
In an open letter published Thursday, the mayor of Velsen, Frank Dales, had banned protesters from going to Tata Steel grounds, highlighting the dangerousness of the site.
“This is private property and you are not allowed access. Tata Steel’s land is vast and dangerous in several places including huge installations that cannot be disabled, hot substances, large vehicles, including trains, etc.”, he warned in an open letter.
“The mayor had better wonder about the safety of the inhabitants of his own commune. It is precisely dangerous to live near Tata Steel since toxic clouds escape every day from the factory”, retorted Faiza Oulahsen, from Greenpeace Netherlands, in another open letter.
In February 2022, the Dutch courts opened an investigation into “intentional and illegal” pollution caused by Tata in its factory near Amsterdam, considering that public health could be threatened.
25/06/2023 02:16:24 – Velsen (Pays-Bas) (AFP) – © 2023 AFP
