Eight demonstrators in their characteristic yellow suits climbed over the fence at the steel mill site, near the storage of coal, ores and other raw materials, around half past ten this morning.
The location is a symbolic place for a protest, Peter Jamin tells the NH reporter through the fence. Tata makes so-called coke from the coal in the coke factories, Jamin explains. “We don’t want Tata Steel to close, but we do want the two coking plants to close. They are still open and that is a big problem.”
One step further
Members of XR and Kappen met Kolen have regularly demonstrated in recent years at the gate of Tata Steel or at government buildings. Today they went a step further by actually entering the company grounds.
Jamin emphasizes: “We realize that they are engaged in dangerous industrial processes here. We do not want to endanger anyone today, in fact we want to prevent danger.”
Nevertheless, according to a spokesperson, Tata Steel had to shut down conveyor belts and wheel diggers as a precaution. These machines are used to move raw materials across the site. Protesters are said to have climbed onto a conveyor belt machine this morning.
In a statement, the steel company said: “We respect everyone’s right to demonstrate, but find it disappointing that Extinction Rebellion has once again chosen to disrupt our business operations.”
The demonstrators remained on the site for about three hours. They were removed by the police around half past two in the afternoon. Tata Steel was then able to resume work.