Press release - for immediate communication
14th of September, 2011 - Rosia Montana, Romania

International Activists set up Solidarity Camp in Rosia Montana - Romania

Between 21-30 of September, 2011, over 500 activists from all over Europe and Romania will arrive in Rosia Montana – Romania, to set up an unprecedented Solidarity Camp. The event is organized by the Reclaim the Fields movement (www.reclaimthefields.org) together with Alburnus Maior Association (www.rosiamontana.org), with strong support from the Romanian peasant association Eco Ruralis (www.ecoruralis.ro) and numerous organizations and individuals from the geographical Europe.

Reclaim the Fields movement is developed by food growers and farmers around Europe that are connecting local practical action with global political struggles. Reclaim the Fields stands against corporate interest that abuse local communities, cultural values and the environment.

Alburnus Maior association represents the local opposition from Rosia Montana against the largest gold mine proposal in Europe which entails the destruction of Rosia Montana and a large area of the Apuseni Mountains in Romania.

Strong local opposition to the gold mining project emerged almost immediately in the year of 2000 when Canadian junior mining company, Gabriel Resources, announced its intentions to destroy the historic village of Rosia Montana by building the largest open-cast gold mine in Europe. Resistance to the project has since spread across Romania. During over 10 years of resistance, Alburnus Maior, through the Save Rosia Montana Campaign has successfully mobilized thousands of people and has so far kept the mine from being realized.

The purpose of the International Camp is to to support the Save Rosia Montana Campaign resisting the destructive gold mining project and to empower the local community in building a sustainable future for Rosia Montana. During the 10 days of the Camp, food growers, farmers and civil society campaigners will take part in agricultural activities with Rosia Montana residents and will organize a vast workshop program bringing different campaigns and communities together from the UK to Turkey.

'As a Rosia Montana resident I am proud to host so many international people supporting our fight to stop the mining project that will destroy our homes, community and culture. Rosia Montana has a long history of resistance and the purpose of the camp fits brilliantly with our struggle. We need international solidarity to save our village as the government and mining company work together to make the cyanide project happen - that will line their own pockets', declares Eugen David, President of Alburnus Maior.

'The story of Rosia Montana is relevant all over the world. We see corporations attempting to trample over communities in their quest for profit - but people will not roll over that easily and we are defending our homes and our land. We look forward to coming to the beautiful region and bring communities together to support the brave struggle of Rosia Montana', underlines UK farmer William Ronan, member of Reclaim the Fields.

For any further informations, please check www.reclaimthefields.org and www.rosiamontana.org

Media facilitators: Eugen David – president Alburnus Maior (Romanian) +40 740 280 309 and Ramona Duminicioiu – member of the Save Rosia Montana Campaign (Romanian, English, French) +40 746 337 022; Phone/Fax: +40 264 599 204 / E-mail: alburnusmaior@ngo.ro / camp2011@reclaimthefields.org

NOTES:

Poster Reclaim the Fields
http://www.infomg.ro/storage/Photos/RTF%2016%20iunie.jpg
http://www.infomg.ro/storage/Photos/Afis_RTF_RosiaMontana2011ver2.jpg
http://www.infomg.ro/storage/Photos/Afis_RTF_RosiaMontana2011_ver1.jpg

Solidarity actions for Rosia Montana:
Photo call for UNESCO protection: www.rosiamontana.org/unesco
Flashmob Bucharest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGSTa_xW1rA
Street actions photo gallery: http://rosiamontana.org/galerie-actiuni.htm

Reclaim the Fields actions:
100 days to Palestine March: http://vimeo.com/28022878
Community resistance Grow Heathrow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWDerzFiqOo
Reclaim the Fields at Copenhagen COP15: http://www.reclaimthefields.org/content/rtf-cop-15-text-pics-videos