A delegation of the citizens of Askola and Pukkila, two communities in Eastern Uusimaa, protested in Helsinki on Wednesday against the French uranium company Cogema's plans to start mining activities in their home municipalities.
"In Pukkila almost all citizens oppose the project. As the decision-makers in Helsinki are not willing to come and listen to us, we came here to voice our concern", noted Mika Tervo from Pukkila.
The protesters waved their banners and placards, daubed with angry slogans, at the Senate Square before submitting their message to the Ministry of Trade and Industry as well as to MPs.
The demonstration was arranged by the civic movement Uraaniton.org ("Uranium-Free") that gathered some 200 protesters, including a couple of dozen citizens of Askola and Pukkila who had arrived in Helsinki driving their tractors.
