On the misty Saturday morning, in front of the governement building in Olso, some of us from Knus Krigmaskinen! took part in the protest against the Chemring Nobel factory. Organized by Folkeaksjonen, with the help of 25 organizations, we stood up against the destruction of the forest.
We held a speech, from which we wrote an excerpt below:
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We are Knus Krigsmaskinen!
Since April we are living in Hurummarka to defend this beautiful forest against the government and Chemring’s death plans. We inhabit a valley called Avgrunnsdalen located within the factory planning area, and we live in an abandoned cabin, several tree houses, and an old tower.
As with many of the affected locals, we are angry at the government’s attempts to conceal their lies through a familiar play of sham democracy. The entire planning process around Chemring’s new factory has been shady from the start. The reports about the factory’s location and ecological impacts were ordered, financed, and internally conducted by Chemring itself. The Norwegian minister of climate and environment had to declare himself disqualified in all cases related to Chemring due to his close personal ties. And Asker kommune’s energy infrastructure expansion plans already now includes the new factory, as if it was officially decided.
And when there is resistance, they try to silence it. As a latest proof of this, we were subjected to an excessive police operation under the guise of seeking dialogue. How often do you show up armed, 10-20 of you with 2 helicopters and hope for dialogue?
Our struggle against this factory is not an isolated struggle; it is part of a global struggle against militarization and every one who profits on it. Even if this factory was to be built elsewhere, or built more “sustainably”, it would still kill and devastate where its bombs are dropped. As long as the system is built on the profits generated through production of weapons, there will be no end to wars. As long as the system is built on the exploitation of workers and ecosystems, there will be no social or ecological justice. As long as weapons manufacturers like Nammo or Kongsberg Gruppen sponsor our sportsclubs, there will be no peace.
The Government remains the servant and gendarme of the war profiteers. Therefore, it is not enough to demand change from politicians. We can not dismantle the master’s house with the master’s tools. In order to end wars, genocides, and ecological havoc, we must take direct action against the structures that create and uphold them.
In Avgrunnsdalen we established an AFS (Aktivt Forsvart Sone), which means that we inhabit parts of the forest to psychically prevent its destruction. We grow relationships based on mutual aid and solidarity with the locals. We build a community centered around a culture of resistance and nourish meaningful relations to a forest which does not matter in the capitalist system.
The police operation two weeks ago made clear, that the pressure on us in increasing. We might be evicted any day. So we need you! Come and help us to defend Hurummarka! Let’s show them together that the forest wants to live. You can support us materially, or even better: join us in the forest and get a glance of what a life in resistance can be.
Together we are Hurummarka defending itself!
Love, rage and solidarity!
Knus Krigsmaskinen!