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Thousands march
against nuclear power
GO ZERO: Activists, non-governmental
organizations and people from across the nation took to the streets of Taipei
yesterday to urge a rethink of nuclear energy
By Lee I-chia / Staff Reporter
Participants in an anti-nuclear
rally organized by non-governmental organizations mark the first anniversary of
last year’s nuclear disaster in Fukushima, Japan, by holding up banners and
placards in Taipei yesterday and demanding an end to the use of nuclear power in
Taiwan.
Photo: CNA
An Internet screen grab shows the
distribution of nuclear power plants in China. WeatherRisk general manager Peng
Chi-ming said a nuclear disaster in China would have severe -consequences for
Taiwan.
Photo: Lin Chia-chi, Taipei Times
Thousands of opponents of nuclear energy
from across the nation paraded in the streets of Taipei yesterday to mark the
first anniversary of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, which
crippled the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant.
“Nuclear go zero — rethink nuclear power” was the main theme of the protest,
during which participants urged the public to consider the risks posed by a
nuclear disaster, nuclear waste contamination and unlimited demand for
electricity.
At 1:46pm (2:46pm in Japan, when the earthquake struck), the crowd held a minute
of silence for the victims of the disaster before moving from Longshan Temple
MRT Station.
Organizers estimated that more than 5,000 people and more than 100 NGOs took
part in the rally.
With processional troupes from religious groups leading the parade, protesters
held yellow balloons with anti-nuclear slogans, banged on African drums while
shouting battle cries and held green paper windmills symbolizing “green” energy
as they marched through the streets.
Participants from the Humanistic Education Foundation held black and white
portraits of themselves, similar to those used in funeral processions, saying
there would be no tomorrow if a nuclear disaster occurred.
“Many people think that the possibility of a nuclear disaster is a distant one
... but actually the Jinshan Nuclear Power Plant [in Shihmen District (石門), New
Taipei City (新北市)] and the Guosheng Nuclear Power Plant [in New Taipei City’s
Wanli District (萬里)] are less than 30km away from us, and the Fourth Nuclear
Power Plant [in New Taipei City’s Gongliao District (貢寮)] is only 40km away from
the Presidential Office,” Taiwan Environmental Protection Union
secretary-general Lee Cho-han (李卓翰) said.
“We are protesting today for the children of today and tomorrow,” Lee said.
A special feature of the parade was the participation of Tao Aborigines from
Lanyu, who oppose the dumping of nuclear waste on the island by Taiwan Power Co
(Taipower).
“Against nuclear waste, save Lanyu. Against nuclear power, save Taiwan,” the
residents of Lanyu shouted, with several people in traditional dress and
occasionally performing a ritual to drive evil spirits (nuclear waste) away by
shouting in a low-pitched voice.
Sinan Mavivo, an anti-nuclear activist and resident of Lanyu, said that for the
past 30 years the children of Lanyu had grown up under the threat of nuclear
waste in their homeland, while many people on the island have been diagnosed
with cancer that has very likely been caused by radiation from the waste.
“A researcher at Academia Sinica last year confirmed there was radioactive
leakage near the nuclear waste storage [facility] on the island,” she said. “But
Taipower keeps trying to cover-up the fact and lies about the danger.”
Residents of the island urged the government to remove the nuclear waste
immediately to protect their health and suggested that health check-ups be
provided for residents.
“If we don’t stop nuclear power today, tomorrow our tears will become a river,”
a wheelchair-bound protester from Keelung said.
Simulating a nuclear leak in northern Taiwan for three minutes during the march,
the protesters lay down on the bustling streets in front of the Taipei Railway
Station while a siren went off. The skit was to show that if there was a real
threat, residents would have nowhere to go.
The parade arrived at Ketagalan Boulevard in front of the Presidential Office at
about 4:20pm, where musicians played anti-nuclear songs, including The Gift from
the Devil by Country Boys (農村武裝青年), while activists shared their opinions with
the crowd.
Gongliao Anti-nuclear Self-Help Association chairman Wu Wen-chang (吳文樟) said
construction of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant had been going on for nearly 30
years and cost more than plants in other countries.
“The government should stop throwing money into this money pit and stop the
construction of this highly dangerous plant,” he said.
The protesters urged the government and Taiwanese to learn from Japan’s March 11
nuclear disaster and rethink Taiwan’s energy policy for a safe and sustainable
future.
Tibetans also took part in the parade to show solidarity with Taiwanese and
voice their concerns over China’s nuclear activities in Tibet.
“Of course I should be out here taking part in this demonstration, because the
nuclear issue is a global issue, and everyone should be concerned. Although I’m
a Tibetan, I live in Taiwan, therefore I should be here with the Taiwanese,”
said Tashi Tsering, an -India-born Tibetan. “I think nuclear energy is not safe
and the government should always have the people’s safety — not economic growth
— as its top priority.”
Regional Tibetan Youth Congress Taiwan president Tenzin Chompel said he was
concerned about China’s nuclear activities in Tibet.
“I’d also like to express my concerns about China’s dumping of nuclear waste, as
well as reported nuclear tests on the Tibetan Plateau,” he said.
Tenzin Chompel was also concerned about the situation in Taiwan.
“I live in Taipei and feel worried about being surrounded by two nuclear power
plants,” he said. “Besides, I’d like to condemn the Republic of China
government, which dumps nuclear waste on Lanyu [蘭嶼] that belongs to the Tao
Aborigines — this is just as irresponsible as the Chinese government’s dumping
of nuclear waste in Tibet.”
Additional reporting by Loa Iok-sin
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