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eage 22 NORTH LEEDS LANTERN Ontario Non-Nuclear Network Protests A.E,C,B. Secrecy On October 2, 1978, a group of thirteen people occupied the seventh floor foyer of the Atomic Energy Control Board (A.E.C.B.) Offices in Ottawa. This action, peaceful in all respects, was the lat-st in a series of attempts by the Ontario Non-Nuclear Network (O.N.N.N.) to obtain the release to the public of secret information pertaining to the operating safety of Ontario Hydro's nuclear reactors and thus the safety of every person in this Province. Six of the thirteen were small businessmen and farmers from Leeds- Grenville County. It is felt that some explanation of the background to this action will enable our neighbours to make a well-informed decision as to its justification. On June 27, 1978, members of C.N.N.N. presented a letter to Dr. flan Frince, President of A.E.C.B., asking for the release of five Sets of documents relating to critical questions of CANDU nuclear reactor safety. The letter demanded that the Control Board, in its capacity as "public watchdog” on the nuclear industry, end its rather incestuous relation- ship with the electrical utilities, primarily Ontario Hydro, and with the Federal Ministry of Energy, Mines and Resources. A.E.C.B. refused release of any of the documents with the excuse that Parliament would deal with the matter when it resumed on October 10. This was deemed a refusal as, by any one of many Parliamentary tactics, the proposition would have been shelved indefinitely. Meanwhile , Ontario Hydro's nuclear reactors continue to operate unsafely. On July 12, a vigil for freedom of information began on the doorstep of the A.E.C.B. and from that date until September 29, members of O.N.N.N. maintained that vigil during working hours. Repeated requests were met with repeated refusals, the excuses becoming weaker every time. The vigil was supported by individuals from across the Province and by over twenty other environmental public interest groups from coast to coast. In addition, the Canadian Environmental Law Association and theCanadian Civil Liberties Association gave it their endorsement. PANASONIC The articles regarding the Nuclear Power and Safety Protest were submitted by two members of the Leeds - Grenville County Affinity Group, the area group of Cmtario [Non-Nuclear Network. ID-TELEVISID uncan's Sales & Service 59-5660 MAIN EL'GIN The vigil came to an end September 29 and on October 2, after publicly announcing its intentions, the O.N.N.J. members chose to undertake further action against the A.E.C.B. Thirteen occupied the lobby of the Board's executive offices, stating that they would leave only after the documents Were released. The occupiers subsequently softened their stance, as a gesture of good faith, to request from Dr. Prince a letter naming the responsible parties refusing the information. In addition the letter was to state that the A.F.C.B. did not consider itself responsible for advising the Canadian People on matters of nuclear safety and requesting that 1.E.C.B. recommend that, in future, the past policy of secrecy on such matters would be eliminated. Dr. Prince's written reply was un- acceptable on a number of counts, the mos‘ significant of which was his assertion that release of the documents was not in the best interests of the Public. fifter making a state- ment rejecting Pr. PrinCe's letter, the occupiers began discussing their next move. The A.E.C.B. agreed earlier in the day to honour the group's decisionâ€"making process and so it was with some degree of aston- ishment that the group reacted to an immediate order to leave the building. Unintimidated, the occupiers refused to leave and A.E.C.E. staff called in the Ottawa Police. Thirteen people were arrested, charged with petty trespassing, appeared in court the next day and then returned to their jobs at home more convinced than ever that their cause was a just one. ’ Meanwhile those Ontario Hydro reactors continue to operate unsafely. Despite all that electricity, the ' people are st“ in the dark: comm - BLACK ya. wmn - strata - mean WAVE. * PANASONIC * QUASAR FACTORY WARRANTY SERVICE FOR * 115.0 A * All/HEAL Mamâ€"Fri, 8~l,7~10 Sat. 8~ 12 noon QUASAR CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE ' The people arrested at the Atomic Energy Control Board Office, October 2, are involved in a form of protest known as nonâ€"violent civil disobedience. There is a strong emphasis on non- violence and much thougflzand personal searching gees into the meaning. To the people involved, non-violence means that they will not support any form of violence by their own supporters nor the people tr-v feel a need to challenge. Nor will they destmy property. The second aspect of the form of pro- test is civil disobedience, that is intentionally breaking the law and being prepared to aiffer the conse- quences. It is not a general disreâ€" gard for all laws,but one may feel strongly enough about an issue that the law being broken is minor, compared to the moral laws being broken by those they challenge. In fairly recent times, Gandi and his followers led India out of british colonialism by several acts of non- violent civil disobedience. In this present case of protest, the people arrested are membersof Ontario Nonâ€"Nuclear Network. They feel that the Atomic Energy Control Board is withholding important safety infor- mation from the Public. While the arguments around +leissue may be complex, O.N.E.N. members feel that the Fublic must become more aware of nucIeSrâ€"age problems before a small portion of our society commits us to nuclear power. In that sense they, the members of C.E.N.N. are not radicals. Rather, they are both Liberal and Conservative. A third aspect of this group is its form of decisionâ€"making. »The members choose to work towards consensus, that is evoryone trying to agree or come close to agreement. There are no leaders and each decision requires serious thought and soul~searnning from everyone. As such, the process is new to the members of O.N.Y.X. and it is often only with great effort that we avoid taking charge or letting other individuals takz charge. I must add a personal note. I have never been arrested before, let alone setting myself up to force my arrest. It can be frightening. notever, because know the people with he to be supâ€" portive, and also a bit nervous, I'was not afraid. Indeed, I am stronger for ‘having spoken my mind. Many thoughts will pass through my mind from now until our trial February 1, 1979, but I will nd, doubt my reasons for being arrested nor those who stood with me. CANADIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION RESOLUTIONS: Despite intense pressure from both the Canadian Nuclear As- sociation and the Atomic Enerâ€" gy Control Board, the Canadian Medical Association passed the following resolutions: "Be it resolved that the can- adian Medical Association go on record that the present Green Paper on Nuclear Waste Management be scrapped, and that a new Green Paper be called for considering all aspects of the nuclear food cycle, including the best medical expertise avail- able and full public particiâ€" pation."