Globasl day of action against nuclear reactor plants

Global Day of Action against Nuclear Reactor Plants

April 26, 2011

< The Netherlands < The Philippines < USA

Netherlands: Global Day of Action vs nuclear reactor plants Photos courtesy of ILPS


ILPS JOINS GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST NUCLEAR REACTOR PLANTS ON APRIL 26 By Prof. Jose Maria Sison Chairperson, International League of Peoples' Struggle April 10, 2011 We, the International League of Peoples' Struggle, hereby call on all its member-organizations, its allied forces and the broad masses of the people to join the Global Day of Action on April 26 and carry out mass actions against nuclear reactors in order to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear plant disaster, to protest the multiple meltdowns occurring at the Fukushima 1 nuclear complex, to demand immediate measures to protect the Japanese people and to call for the banning of nuclear reactor plants. The most serious lessons from the Chernobyl nuclear plant disaster have not been learned by the monopoly bourgeoisie and governments. Now, we are confronted by a nuclear plant disaster far bigger than that of Chernobyl. At Fukushima 1 nuclear complex of Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO), there are four nuclear reactors in the process of meltdown. At Chernobyl, only one reactor was involved and exploded after two weeks, thus effectively stopping the meltdown. In the aforesaid four nuclear reactors, all cooling systems, including the emergency core cooling system have broken down since March 11, as a result of the magnitude 9 earthquake and the big tsunami. Hydrogen explosions have destroyed the buildings housing the reactors. The nuclear fuel rods attached to the pressure vessels of reactors Nos 1, 2 and 3 are melting upon the decrease of water and exposure of the fuel rods. Moreover, there is a hole in the containment vessel of reactor No. 2. Extremely high levels of radiation, far exceeding that of the Chernobyl meltdown, are coming from the reactors, especially from the damaged mixed oxide fuel rods which have a high amount of uranium and plutonium. They are life threatening and poisonous to the environment over wide areas. Highly-concentrated radioactive material has been spread further by the release of internal gas to the atmosphere. Large amounts of water used to cool down the reactors have seeped down into the water table and and have flowed out to the ocean. Since more than a week ago, the level of nuclear disaster has risen to the highest, which is level 7 of the International Nuclear Event Scale (INES). But the officials of the Japanese government and TEPCO have been engaged in disinformation, understating the damage and dangers and giving out false assurances. The Japanese government is more concerned with seeking to maintain and promote the nuclear power development policy in obedience to its US imperialist master. The main technology is provided and controlled by General Electric and Westinghouse. It is of the highest importance and urgency that internationally coordinated mass actions are started and sustained in order to demand the evacuation, relief and assistance to the latest victims of nuclear disaster, the protection of the people and the environment and the banning of nuclear power plants. In this regard, the International League of Peoples' Struggle have agreed with the International Coordination of Revolutionary Parties and Organizations and other international formations to cooperate in carrying out the Global Day of Action on April 26. We demand the following: 1. Evacuate immediately the population threatened by the meltdown in Japan! 2. Bring to safety the children and pregnant women! 3. Publish the whole truth about the Fukushima disaster without any reservation! 4. Mobilize all international relief organizations for conducting extensive evacuations! 5. Supply the population with uncontaminated food and water! 6. Organize continuous airlifts and shipping convoys for this purpose! 7. Appoint immediately an investigative commission of the best qualified scientists and experts in the world! 8. Shut down the nuclear power plants!













			x Remembering Chernobyl and Fukushima Nuclear Disasters BAYAN Japan Joins Global Day of Action Against Nuclear Reactor Plants The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (New Patriotic Alliance) or BAYAN – Japan joins and supports the Global Day of Action Against Nuclear Reactor Plants spearheaded by the International League of People’s Struggle (ILPS) on April 26, 2011, the 25^th anniversary of Chernobyl nuclear disaster, to demand immediate actions to save and protect the people of and in Japan against the current and long term effects of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear disaster, and calls for the banning of nuclear reactor plants. Our deepest sympathies go to the people of and in Japan who have lost family members and loved ones and billions-worth of properties and livelihood because of the magnitude 9 earthquake and giant tsunami that hit the northeastern part of the country. Now, their sufferings continue as a result of the multiple meltdowns occurring at the damaged Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant. We commend the courageous Japanese men and women who continue to risk their lives, working day and night at the Fukushima 1 nuclear complex to avert further disaster of catastrophic proportions. The Fukushima experience reminds us of the Chernobyl nuclear meltdown 25 years ago. Both technological failures have demonstrated the dangers of nuclear power plants that are not accident-free no matter how much safety measures were put in place. BAYAN Japan blames no one but the Japanese government and monopoly bourgeoisie for ignoring the lessons of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Since day one, extremely high levels of radiation have been recorded in and around the 20-km area of the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant. Just about a week and a half ago, radioactive emissions from its failed nuclear reactors have reached level 7, surpassing that of Chernobyl. However, officials of the Japanese government and TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Corporation) have been understating the damage and dangers it poses on people’s health and safety, engaging in disinformation and giving everyone false assurances. The Japanese government and monopoly bourgeoisie obviously have downplayed the impact of the Fukushima nuclear disaster to avoid serious backlash on its nuclear energy program. They have connived with US monopoly capitalists represented by General Electric (GE) which engineered the 6 reactors of the damaged nuclear plant to cover up for this massive human and technological error unmindful of the safety and security of the people and its impact on the environment. BAYAN Japan believes that nuclear power is not the answer to the world’s energy problems. It is neither the solution to the challenge of climate change. Even the most structurally-sound nuclear power plant emits large amounts of radioactive wastes that are highly toxic even on extended period of time. This problem remains unresolved to this day and poses serious threats to human health and safety as well as the environment. Also notable is the fact that nuclear power programs like that of Japan are eating large chunks of public funds which otherwise could have been utilized to develop safer and more reliable sources of renewable energy or improve social services for the people. The Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear disasters have taught us about the extreme dangers that can result from nuclear power generation. It is therefore important to rally the people around the world to join the worldwide call to ban nuclear reactor plants in Japan and elsewhere on this planet; to denounce imperialist greed for super profits at the expense of the safety and security of the people and environment; and to push for alternative technologies that are people- and environment-friendly and sustainable for the benefit of future generations to come. No More Chernobyl, No More Fukushima! Save Humanity, Save theumanityHumanityH Environment! Ban Nuclear Reactor Plants in Japan and Around the World! Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) Japan 26 April 2011











26 April 2011 “Nuclear disasters know no boundaries” Groups commemorate Chernobyl disaster, hold solidarity event for victims of Fukushima nuclear meltdown on Global Day of Action vs. Nuke Reactors Environmental activists, health professionals, and militant groups joined the Global Day of Action against Nuclear Reactors in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear plant disaster and to demand immediate measures to protect the Japanese people from the multiple meltdowns occurring at the Fukushima 1 nuclear complex. The groups also called for a ban of nuclear reactor plants during a cultural action where they offered flowers, candles, and incense to the victims of nuclear disasters. On April 26, 1986, one of the four nuclear reactors of Chernobyl Power Plant in Kiev, Ukraine exploded. The Chernobyl nuclear meltdown was considered as one of the worst nuclear disasters. More than two decades after, diseases and deaths related to nuclear contamination persisted. A study made by the Center for Independent Environmental Assessment of the Russian Academy of Sciences shows that the dramatic increase in mortality since 1990 in affected areas —60,000 deaths in Russia and an estimated 140,000 deaths in Ukraine and Belarus—could be linked to the Chernobyl nuclear radiation. “We are in solidarity with the Japanese people who until now are enduring hardships brought about by the multiple disasters they faced. The Japanese government should increase the area coverage of evacuation to further minimize the exposure of the people especially children and pregnant women. In order to avoid a similar disaster, the Japanese government should denuclearize its power industry,” says Rita Baua, secretary general of International League of People’s Struggle (ILPS) – Philippines, one of the organizers of the activity. The malfunction suffered by the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant after the big tsunami in Japan led to explosions and meltdown of some of its reactors. The nuclear disaster was classified as a Level 7 nuclear disaster, same with the Chernobyl disaster. Until now, radiation and toxic contamination have not been contained in Japan. “Nuclear fallout and radiation know no boundaries. As in the case of Chernobyl disaster, many countries in Europe have been affected by the nuclear fallout. The Philippine government should immediately conduct a comprehensive assessment of the effects and impacts of the Fukushima nuclear disaster to the country. It is prudent and wise not to dismiss the risks and dangers of the effects of nuclear radiation and contamination. There is also a need to stop importing food products from Japan to reduce the risk of the entry and consumption of nuclear radiation-contaminated food in the country.” states Clemente Bautista, national coordinator of green activist group Kalikasan PNE. The governments of South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam and China have all reported that traces of radiation from Fukushima disaster have been found in their territories. Even the United States found out that nuclear contamination have reached them. “The Fukushima nuclear disaster shows the truth that nuclear power plants until now are unsafe and very dangerous. The Philippine government should forego its ambition to built nuclear power plants. It must ensure that Chernobyl and Fukushima- like nuclear disasters will not occur in our country by legislating a ban on nuclear power in the country,” ended Bautista.### By kalikasan at 2011-04-27 08:55 Office Address: #26 Matulungin Street Barangay Central Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines Telephone and Fax Nos: +63-02-9248756 +63-02-9209099 Email us: kalikasan.pne@gmail.com



			ILPS Protest Against Nuclear Reactors www.youtube.com April 26, 2011 as part of the Global Day of Action to carry out mass actions against nuclear reactors in order to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Che..


The Philippines: Global Day of Action vs nuclear reactor plants Photos courtesy of Agham Nasyunal Facebook Album


			Nuclear hazards March 17, 2011 - 11:37pm — chiechie A Filipina cousin of mine who was living 70 kilometers away from the site of the Fukushima nuclear plant sent a message to me through the Internet asking advice on what her family could do about the nuclear accident. It struck me that even if the Philippine government has allayed fears about the direct effect of the nuclear accident, there are Filipinos that are going to be near the site of one of the biggest industrial disasters in record. The continuing disasters in the Fukushima reactors in Northeastern Japan should prompt both the Japanese and Filipino governments to be transparent in reporting the incidents in order not to cause panic and disruption for both Japanese and Filipinos alike. The problems in the Fuku-shima reactors range from fires, exposed fuel rods and potential cracks in the nuclear containment structures. The massive 9.0-magnitude earthquake that struck Friday last week caused the reactors to automatically shut down but cooling systems failed leading to the series of disasters that is still unresolved as of now. There had already been radiation exposure of around 190 people nearby and the danger zone has been increased to 30 km from the plant site. The radioactive emissions range from isotopes of cesium and iodine as well as nitrogen and argon. Radioactive iodine can cause thyroid cancer especially in young people near the plant and cesium accumulates in tissue that could affect the individual later on. A nuclear plant generates heat through nuclear reactions inside the reactor. In the Fukushima plants, this reactor is in contact with water, which then generates steam that powers the turbines for electricity. The pump that circulates coolant within the reactor failed to operate after the earthquake. The reactor then continued to heat up despite the control rods that were in place to prevent runaway nuclear reactions. The heat boiled away the water and corroded the coating and structure inside the reactor prompting a chemical reaction that produced hydrogen gas. The plant workers tried to vent it outside the reactor but the pressure was too great that the structure itself collapsed. Workers then pumped in seawater with boric acid to cool down the reactor as well as to prevent further nuclear process to proceed. For some plant units, such as Fukushima unit 2, the workers failed to fill the vessel due to failures in the seawater pump causing fears that the fuel rods could have melted. Explosions in the same unit caused damage in the suppression pool that could possibly release radioactive materials in the surroundings. Last Tuesday, March 15, Yukiya Amano from the IAEA said that there was “less than five percent” that there was a possibility of core damage to the No. 2 unit. The same type of failure and explosion happened in Unit 3, which runs in the potentially more dangerous mixed uranium and plutonium oxide, or MOX fuel. Unit 4 had a fire, which affected the spent fuel pool, which stores fuel rods that were already used in the reactors. The workers in the plant are having difficulty in controlling the fires as well as in putting more water inside the pool. Although Unit 5 and 6 were offline during the event, there are similar problems with cooling systems in these units and the roofs of the buildings were removed to prevent buildup of hydrogen inside the units. These events could still escalate as the problems are still unresolved as of today. There are indications that this crisis could become greater than the Three Mile Island accident in 1979. There should be available data for the public about three-day to five-day wind forecasts and the current level of radioactive emissions in the atmosphere. Without this information, it is easy for the public and the media to speculate about the possible effects of this nuclear accident. On the other hand, we are also urging citizens to be critical of information being received especially through SMS, social networks and e-mail regarding this matter. We should be responsible and not forward unverified information. The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute and the Department of Science and Technology should immediately launch a massive information campaign regarding these data and scenarios and tell the public the necessary interventions to mitigate any potential disaster. At the present, the IAEA has classified the nuclear emergency as level 4, which means that the accident has effects of a local nature. The Department of Foreign Affairs should have clear plans in evacuating Filipinos that are in Japan especially those who are clamoring to be immediately sent home. Even if the emission cloud fails to reach our shores, the safety and security of Filipinos in the surrounding areas should be the top priority of the Aquino government. Author: Dr. Giovanni Tapang, Ph.D. Author Description: Dr. Tapang is the chairperson of AGHAM-Advocates of Science and Technology for the People.









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We Denounce Nuclear Power Plants in Japan On April 26, 2011 will be the 25^th anniversary of Chernobyl nuclear disaster, a day where people of Japan and the world continuously live in fear for the possible hydrogen explosion of the damaged nuclear reactors 1, 2 and 3 of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Adding to the anxiety is the seen Japanese government policy not to clarify and hide the seriousness of the nuclear accident in order to defend the further use and propagation of nuclear plant and to protect the profits of their main nuclear power plant business partners from the USA. Earthquake and tsunami’s are natural disasters but the nuclear plant accident is a man-made disaster. Japan is obviously an earthquake country but the government promoted the use of nuclear plant through the instigation of US monopoly capitalist. In fact, it is the US based General Electric who designed the architecture and the six nuclear reactors of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power plant. The Fukushima nuclear disaster calls the urgency for the people of Japan and the world to protest and to stop the use of nuclear for cheap electric production that gives giant profits to the capitalist at the expense of the people and world’s environment. Therefore, we the undersigned organizations and individuals hereby calls for support and cooperation to join the Global Day of Action called by the International League of People’s Struggle (ILPS) on April 26, 2011, the 25^th anniversary of Chernobyl nuclear disaster, to demand immediate measures to protect the Japanese people and to call for the banning of nuclear plant. \ Signatories: Hideo AOKI – Institute on Social Theory and Dynamics – Hiroshima Masayuki UCHIKOSHI – Institute on Social Theory and Dynamics – Hiroshima Chie YAMAMOTO – Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) – Kyoto Agalyn NAGASE – Kalipunan ng mga Filipinong Nagkakaisa – Tokyo Cesar SANTOYO – Kalipunan ng mga Filipinong Nagkakaisa – Tokyo Jessica NAKAO – Gabriela – Tokyo Sharif GERON – Anakbayan-Japan Naoko OTA – KAFIN Center – Saitama Miho MAEDA – KAFIN Center – Saitama Kazuhiro NISHI – Aichi, Japan Kimiko SHIMADA – FICAP-Kasugai, International Exchange Network in Kasugai City Taro AIHARA – Kani, Gifu Abe RYOGO – Filipino Migrants Center – Nagoya Virgie ISHIHARA – GABRIELA – Japan Thelma ARGAL – GABRIELA – Nagoya Rossana TAPIRU – MIGRANTE – Nagoya Erik PERRY – MIGRANTE – Nagoya Edwin GUARIN – Philippine Society in Japan – Nagoya Jack JACOBE – Philippine Society in Japan – Nagoya Jaypee RAMADA – United Filipinos in Gifu Josephus Jul RAMADA – United Filipinos in Gifu Ronie MIRANDA – KAFIN – Nagoya Anderson VILLA – Support for Oita Bisaya Association – United Filipinos in Japan Nestor PUNO – MIGRANTE Japan











			Press Statement 26 April 2011 For reference: Dolores Balladares Chairperson, Tel. No.: 97472986 In the wake of nuclear plant meltdowns in Japan Filipinos in HK join Global Day of Action to commemorate Chernobyl’s 25th year As the world commemorates the 25th year of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant disaster, the United Filipinos in Hong Kong (UNIFIL-MIGRANTE-HK) joins the call of the International League of Peoples Struggle (ILPS) to ban nuclear reactor plants. This call is even more urgent now as the people of Japan as well as the whole world face the terrible prospect of another Chernobyl in the wake of the meltdowns at the Fukushima 1 nuclear complex. Filipinos in Hong Kong grieve with the Japanese people gravely affected by the twin disasters – a massive earthquake and devastating tsunami – last month. Thousands died and billions of dollars worth of properties were buried and ruined. But the aftershock of the disasters is not yet over. The threat of a nuclear calamity hangs over the heads of the people of Japan. As migrant workers, Filipinos in Hong Kong are very much concerned with the events in Japan. The said country is host to hundreds of thousands of foreign workers from different countries, and the tragedy and its waves of effects to Japan’s social and economic condition have put the lives of migrants and their families in extreme insecurity. But the threat of a nuclear plant devastation shall spell even greater disaster for the migrant workers in Japan and possibly even in nearby countries where the fallout will be felt. It will surely cost more lives and livelihoods. Migrant workers have already been displaced by extreme poverty and unemployment in home countries. The likely nuclear plant disaster will displace migrants again that will put them in even worse situation than before. To aggravate matters further, governments of migrant-sending countries are very much not ready to take the backlash of what may happen in the Fukushima 1 nuclear complex. Aside from the inability to respond quickly to the needs of their nationals in areas that will be affected, jobs are still very scarce in countries like the Philippines with the people’s economic condition sliding faster down to the rut. Migrant workers and the people are the ones to face a tragic future if the Fukushima 1 situation worsens. Nuclear power technology is developed, promoted and controlled by imperialist powers – chiefly by the US – to fuel the need for profits of imperialist industries. Its benefit to the people only comes in trickles and is only used to prettify the clear dangers to the people as what has been proven in Chernobyl and other nuclear power plant disasters. Twenty-five years after Chernobyl and still the lives, livelihood, health and safety of the people are still at risk due to imperialist domination and greed. In this Global Day of Action, UNIFIL-MIGRANTE-HK calls for the world to remember Chernobyl. Remember and act to protest what is happening in Fukushima 1 nuclear complex, act to protect the lives of the people of Japan, and unite in opposing nuclear reactor plants in the world. Make safe the world from nuclear disasters and imperialist control! <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> The Secretariat United Filipinos in Hong Kong (UNIFIL-MIGRANTE-HK) 2/F., New Hall, St. John's Cathedral, 4 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong SAR Tel. (852) 3156-2447 Fax. (852) 2526-2894 E-mail: secretariat@unifil.org.hk Website: http://www.unifil.org.hk Blog: compatriots.blogspot.com YouTube: www.youtube.com/unifilhk























New York, USA



Published on ABS-CBN News \| Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com) Pinoys join 25th year of Chernobyl disaster protest [1] By Don Tagala, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau \| 04/29/2011 10:58 AM WOODSIDE, New York Filipino activists in New York joined the Global Day of Action Against Nuclear Reactor Plants Tuesday. In commemoration of the 25th year anniversary of the Chernobyl Nuclear Plant disaster in Ukraine, the International League of Peoples Struggle (ILPS) held a candle light vigil at the Bayanihan Center in Woodside, New York Tuesday night. Its meant to call attention to the multiple partial meltdowns happening at the Fukushima Nuclear Complex in Japan and to demand the protection of the Japanese people. Yves Nibungco of Bayan USA said, On this Global Day of Action, we are demanding that nuclear power plants are immediately shut down because these plants pose great danger to the community. Meantime, dozens of New York residents have been regularly holding protests at the Union Square in midtown Manhattan for the closure of what is believed to be the riskiest nuclear reactor in the country. The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission estimates the Indian Point Energy Centers nuclear reactor number 3 in Buchanan New York has a 1 in 10,000 chance of being damaged by an earthquake. On top of that, the three nuclear reactors at the Indian Point Nuclear Facility rests on top of two intersecting earthquake fault lines The Ramapo fault line. That means, the usually crowded Times Square sitting just 40 miles away from the nuclear reactor, has the highest risk of earthquake damage. Bronx, New York is just 20 miles away. Teresa Gutierrez of the International Action Center said, I dont feel safe at all, I dont feel safe at all about having one close by. I hope the /movement against the nuclear power plants will elevate, grow and get stronger and organize. Independent researchers showed that the Indian Point Nuclear Plant supplies about 20 to 30 percent of New Yorks need to power its vast underground mass transit system, trains and millions of homes and businesses. Closing the nuclear plant would significantly increase electricity price by an average of 25 percent and occasionally up to 130 percent in some areas. But anti-nuke activists said the risk is greater than the benefits the nuclear reactors in New York provide. Nibungco said, Its quite possible that the Indian Point Nuclear Reactor accidentally breaks down and cause a meltdown. This would be a huge disaster that could damage and harm not only thousands but millions of people in New York and around the country. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission said that every nuclear power plant is designed with a margin of safety beyond the strongest earthquake anticipated in that area. Protestors say the tragedy in Japan only underscores the dangers that nuclear power reactors pose especially when disaster strikes. The solution, they say, is to develop and rely on safer and cleaner alternatives such as geothermal, wind or solar energy.
















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