Lock-on blockade at Karahnjukar. Icelandic police tell drivers to start machinery risking protestors' lives.
A statement from the protestor at Kárahnjúkar in Iceland, Tuesday 26th of July
A group of 24 protestors entered the Kárahnjúkar dam site and stopped work for
five hours early this morning. The protest involved a blockade by several
activists who locked onto machinery by their necks.
The protest was peaceful and relations with the workers were friendly until
the police arrived at about 3 AM. The police ordered the drivers of the
vehicles that people were locked on to, to start their engines. This order
created an incredibly dangerous situation as the drivers and the police didn’t
share a common language.
The police refused to talk to the protestors and started to forcibly remove
people from the site.
The protesters pleaded for a dialogue, but were ignored by
authorities.
The police allegedly sexually assaulted one woman while another protestor was assaulted by
security personal while being held by police. Three people are being held on
fabricated assault charges
This type of police behaviour will not stop the protestors from resisting heavy
industry in Iceland.
A great responsibility lies with the Icelandic authorities to ensure their law
enforcement does not escalate or create situations at the dam that will
endanger lives.
A group of 24 protestors entered the Kárahnjúkar dam site and stopped work for
five hours early this morning. The protest involved a blockade by several
activists who locked onto machinery by their necks.
The protest was peaceful and relations with the workers were friendly until
the police arrived at about 3 AM. The police ordered the drivers of the
vehicles that people were locked on to, to start their engines. This order
created an incredibly dangerous situation as the drivers and the police didn’t
share a common language.
The police refused to talk to the protestors and started to forcibly remove
people from the site.
The protesters pleaded for a dialogue, but were ignored by
authorities.
The police allegedly sexually assaulted one woman while another protestor was assaulted by
security personal while being held by police. Three people are being held on
fabricated assault charges
This type of police behaviour will not stop the protestors from resisting heavy
industry in Iceland.
A great responsibility lies with the Icelandic authorities to ensure their law
enforcement does not escalate or create situations at the dam that will
endanger lives.
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