MONTREAL - While many Montrealers were singing in the shower, about 20 environmental activists from Greenpeace were shouting slogans and waving placards in front of the Hydro Quebec building early Wednesday morning.
The demonstrators descended on HQ headquarters on Rene-Levesque at 6:30 a.m. to urge the closure of Gentilly-2, which is Quebec's sole nuclear plant, located not far from Trois-Rivieres.
Police arrested six of the protesters, who were clad in white overalls for the occasion. They face charges related to mischief and trespassing.
Police used bolt-cutters to remove protesters who had chained themselves to the front door.
A city firetruck was brought in to extend a ladder to permit the removal of protesters and to remove a large sign affixed to the shade roof at the entrance of the building.
The province has set aside $2 billion to refurbish the plant but Greenpeace is one of several environmental groups that have lobbied to have it decommissioned instead.
The protest coincides with hearings that take place Wednesday in Becancourt to discuss the renewal of the facility.
“We think it’s unfortunate that Hydro Quebec didn’t respond to our demand to shut down Gentilly-2,” said spokesman Shawn-Patrick Stensil who serves as nuclear analyst with Greenpeace. “The reactor they want to build will impose a Fukushima-type risk that could cause accidents for decades.”
The protest briefly shut down the Hydro Quebec building although one entrance remained accessible at all times in case of emergency. The protest ended around 8:00 a.m.
In recent weeks Greenpeace has also conducted anti-nuclear power demonstrations in countries such as The Philippines, Mexico and India.
