VIDEO: Hundreds gather for Portland Waste Incinerator protest march
Olympic sailors, clergy and local councillors were among the crowds around Portland
Hundreds of protestors gathered outside Portland Port on Saturday.
They were campaigning against plans for a waste incinerator at Portland Pot which they claim will harm the environment.
Over 650 people, including clergy, Olympic sailors and local councillors, gathered for the march, overwhelming organisers initially.
Brother Alasdair Kay, the reverend at All Saints delivered a message on a stage, communicating the threat we face due to the climate crisis.
Stop Portland Waste Incinerator Paula Klaentschi said:
“The south west already has a surplus in waste incineration and a new plant is opening at Bridgewater. The 15mw of power offered could come from the national grid supplied by ONE wind turbine. No lorries, no emissions, no toxic bottom ash, no using 56,000,000 litres of clean water every year, no importing waste by cargo ships from unconstrained locations.”
WATCH: Video by Jodie Shroud
Laura Baldwin, Olympic Sailing coach, said:
"The march was very well behaved we stuck to the pavement, to let the traffic flow.
"We blocked the port entrance for only a few minutes really while we did a chant and banged a drum.
"It had a really good vibe, it was really uplifting and it gives you hope being connected as a community like that, all fighting against the same thing."
After the speeches the protesters marched to the port following the samba band that created an up beat vibe. At the entrance to Portland Port they chanted:
“Code Red for humanity, Incineration is insanity, Zero waste is the solution, Incineration is pollution.”
Before returning to the stage on the green where local musicians including El Berez and Leon Sea performed.