Nuclear protesters appeal unprecedented trespass fines
For immediate release
Contact Paxus Calta – 541-505-0803
August 15, 2008
Nuclear protesters appeal unprecedented trespass fines
All three protesters of Dominion Resources’ planned new nuclear
reactor in Louisa Virginia immediately appealed the unusually harsh
sentences that were issued by a district judge on August 14. The
protesters were among 6 arrested for the Aug 7 non-violent takeover of
the North Anna Nuclear Power plant information center. The three were
subjected to fines and fees of over $1300 each in an effort by the
county and state to recover the costs of the large police presence at
the Southeast Climate Convergence. “As peaceful protesters who have
plead guilty to a misdemeanor trespassing charge I find these fines
especially egregious considering these charges typically carry a $100
fine,” said Darcy Georgia from WAND (Women’s Action for a New
Direction).
The Southeast Convergence for Climate action was a regional
educational event focused on climate issues held in Louisa County on
private land that was rented for the purpose. Camp leadership and the
land owner met with the local authorities prior to the peaceful event,
out of courtesy.
Spot Et Al, who was one of the protesters arrested, said “These fines
are based on an association that the state never proved. It is
charging protesters for all of the costs of the police overtime spent
on watching the Southeast Climate Convergence action camp when some of
the protesters had no association with this camp. Further, it is
unconstitutional to base fines on the costs of errors in staffing made
by the police,” pointing out that the camp was completely peaceful,
without even internal need for conflict resolution. Spot Et Al is part
of the Charlottesville based CAGE action group.
The protesters were demanding that Dominion cease its plans to build
an additional nuclear reactor at the North Anna site in central
Virginia because they view it as a false solution to the Climate
Crisis. “Dominion should be thanking us for pointing out the failure
in their climate change policies.” Said Paxus Calta, one of the
protesters charged with trespass and a member of the local group
Peoples Alliance for Clean Energy (PACE) which supporters renewable
alternatives and conservation solutions to the energy needs of the
people of the region.
The remaining 3 protesters from the August 7 action are proceeding to
a hearing. A second case is pending in Richmond proceeding from the
non-violent lock-down of two young Climate Crisis protesters at Bank
of America in downtown Richmond on Monday August 11.
