As PN went to press, activists from climate change group Reclaim Power had blocked the main entrance to the Hartlepool nuclear power plant in Teesside.
Using locks and other equipment, six activists successfully closed the main entrance and unfurled a large banner with the words “No More” on 29 August. The action was in response to government and nuclear industry plans to build a new generation of nuclear power stations and coincided with the Climate Action Camp. The camp is taking place on a site close to the Drax power station, near Selby in North Yorkshire. Drax is reportedly the largest single emitter of greenhouse gases in the UK. Despite an injunction being granted to Drax in advance of the camp and anticipated protests, organisers called from mass direct action there on 31 August.
Hundreds of people had converged at the week-long camp, from where initial reports seemed upbeat and positive. Organisers said the camp was established to focus on developing grassroots solutions to climate change.
Speaking from the camp shortly after it was set up, Anna Harrison said, “We can't ignore taking action on this issue any longer. No one else is going to stop climate change for us. We have to do it ourselves”.
Up to 2,000 people were expected to attend.