Greenpeace wants toxic parts to close immediately
June 24, Wijk aan Zee – Hundreds of peaceful activists entered the terrain of a large polluting Tata Steel factory just outside Amsterdam. Greenpeace Netherlands together with local residents and activists demand that the most toxic parts of Tata Steel be closed in order to protect the health of local residents. Hundreds of activists took to the site of the steel factory with banners and flags. It contains texts such as: ‘Tata is toxic’, ’Green and good jobs’ and ‘Government, don’t let us suffocate’.
Action
Activists slept in an action camp specially set up for this protest. This morning several hundred activists left the camp in a procession towards the Tata Steel factories. They have entered the grounds of Tata Steel to take action in the heart of the big polluter. Dozens of activist took to the water to protest against the polluting factory, with six rhibs. The activists want the government to protect local residents, the climate and nature against major polluters. Faiza Oulahsen, Head of Climate & Energy at Greenpeace: “We believe that the government should know what is going on at the polluting companies and intervene if the health of local residents or nature is endangered. Tata Steel can only continue to make steel in the IJmond if it no longer harms the health of local residents, nature and the climate.”
Health environment at risk
Tata Steel near IJmuiden is one of the largest and dirtiest steel factories in Europe and is located in the middle of a densely populated area. Jaap Venniker comes from Wijk aan Zee and is a board member of FrisseWind.nu: “The poisonous clouds chase you everywhere, you can see them from the dunes, from the sea and the village. We now know that these are full of carcinogenic substances. I have young children of my own and, like many other parents, I am deeply concerned about this. Tata Steel’s toxic emissions really need to stop.” Greenpeace is also very concerned about the health of people living near the factory. “In the area, the chance of getting lung cancer is up to 50% higher than in the rest of the Netherlands and children have a greater chance of brain damage due to lead poisoning. We therefore demand that the government immediately closes the most sickening parts of Tata Steel. First of all, the coke factories must close. Poisonous clouds are released there almost every day, because the installations are rusty and old. That has to stop. Tata Steel has delayed too long,” said Oulahsen.
This morning there was also a demonstration on the beach at Wijk aan Zee, organized by local residents and supported by dozens of organizations. Under the name of ‘Together for clean air’, they also demand that the government close the most sickening parts of Tata Steel.
Note for editors
Later, moving images from the action on the water will be shared and photos of the entire action in the Greenpeace Media Library. More background information is available in our Tata Steel presskit.
For questions call:
Bram Karst, Press Officer at Greenpeace Netherlands
[email protected] +31 (0) 6 212 968 95