Activists, who are demanding the demolition of Fosen windmills in Trøndelag, have blocked entrances to a total of ten ministries over the past week. Now, however, they sense the issue is getting the attention of the government and are ending the campaign. This is confirmed by the activists’ spokesperson, Ella Marie Hætta Isaksen.
– We stop the action today, provided that the windmills are demolished and the land is returned to the Fosen Sami.
CLOSED: Fosen action spokeswoman Ella Marie Hætta Isaksen said Friday would be the last day of action. Photo: Lars Eivind Bones / Dagbladet
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Fosen activists are protesting that more than 500 days have passed since the Supreme Court ruled that 151 wind turbines on the Fosen peninsula in Trøndelag were illegal without mitigation measures.
Hætta Isaksen tells Dagbladet that activists have felt the decision to end the action in recent days.
– We feel that we owe it to everyone who participated to finish before people are exhausted. Today it seemed right to go to the final instance, which is the King in Council, to put final pressure on the government to keep the promises it made yesterday, says Hætta Isaksen.
She says the campaign has been difficult.
– It was really difficult. Really hard.
Law professor: – Must stop operations
Ready to campaign again
The end of the campaign will be marked by a silent demonstration in front of the Château.
On Friday morning a larger protest will also take place at Eidsvolls plass outside the Storting.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap) and Oil and Energy Minister Terje Aasland (Ap) apologized to the Fosen reindeer herders.
SILENT ACTION: Fosen activists will end the action on Friday with a protest outside the Palace while the King is in Council. Photo: Lars Eivind Bones / Dagbladet
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Hætta Isaksen says the apology was long overdue and now they have a much better basis to resolve the issue. However, they are ready to intervene again, should that not happen.
– Crying is allowed. It is allowed to smile. For what we have done, we should be immensely proud. The government must never forget what happened here. They need to remember the power that resides within us and we need to keep an eye on them moving forward. It is crucial that they do not let us down again. And we are ready to act.
IN PLACE: Greta Thunberg is in place in front of the Castle. She has been in the action since Sunday night. Photo: Lars Eivind Bones / Dagbladet
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– Ongoing human rights violations
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre had breakfast with the reindeer owners on Friday morning.
– It was a strong hour, I would say. It was not a meeting with a decision, but a meeting to start the work which we will take very seriously, Støre told the press after the meeting.
MARKING: Many gathered for marking at Eidsvolls plass outside the Storting on Friday morning. Photo: Siri Åbø Wiersen / Dagbladet
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He asked to believe that the government has worked with the judgment since it arrived – and that it has worked to ensure that international rights obligations are met.
– Absolutely awesome summer
– The current situation is that they will not. It is a violation of human rights and we cannot live with it, the Prime Minister said.
He went on to say that “we will quickly start taking concrete action” and that the matter will receive his full attention.
One of the reindeer owners who attended the meeting said that nothing concrete was expected to come out of the meeting.
– We rely on the Supreme Court ruling, we think they have made a decision on what to decide, says the reindeer owner, who feels he has now taken a step forward.
– You feel that things are going in the right direction.
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