Support Indian Protesters; Stop Kudankulam!

UPDATE, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012. As fuel load at the Kudankulam reactors draws near, protests have intensified--and so has police repression. Today, police shot and killed one person and thousands were teargassed at protests near the reactor site--many ran into the ocean to get away from the tear gas. Support for the protestors, and against the reactors, is more critical now than ever. Please act below. Please share this page with the icons above.

March 27, 2012

On March 19, 2012, the Indian government gave approval for operation of two Russian-designed nuclear reactors at Kudankulam in southern India. These dangerous reactors have been under construction since 1988 and are obsolete before they even start up. Three million people live within 30 kilometers (18) miles of these reactors, some less than a half-mile away.

Meanwhile, a large protest movement has risen in the region and there are currently some 10,000 people protesting nearby. They are being surrounded by thousands of armed police. One of the leaders of this nonviolent resistance is Dr. S.P. Udayakumar, who is also a leader in our NIRS/WISE international network. On March 22, 2012, he was able to get a moving letter to us describing the situation at the protest site. He since has sent two more letters, including one today that indicates more than 170 protesters have been charged with serious crimes. You can read these letters, watch videos, and get more background information here. The Indian government is threatening to arrest Dr. Udayakumar and charge him with terrorism and "waging war" against India.

We are asking every one, from every country, to take action and tell India's top government officials:

1. Leave the protesters alone.

2. Close Kudankulam before it opens. These reactors are simply too dangerous--to Indians and to the rest of the world--to allow their operation.

Thank you and please share widely.